/ Dictionary / Index C civilize: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: civ•i•lize Pronunciation: (siv'u-līz"), [key] — -lized, -liz•ing. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine: Rome civilized the barbarians. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: civilize (Thesaurus) civilization civilized Related Content Daily Word Quiz: dentifrice Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language