civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 
plural civilities
1
a
: civilized conduct
b
: a polite act or expression
lacked the little civilities and hypocrisies of political society—
Roy Jenkins
Roy JenkinsThe men briefly exchanged civilities before the meeting began.
2
archaic
: training in the humanities
Examples of civility in a Sentence
They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.
after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy
Recent Examples on the Web
The lack of civility and transparency at city meetings must end.
—Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris play characters carved out of granite — monuments of a bygone era that maybe should be swept aside by civility and industrialization.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
When leaders lean into compassion and civility, such positivity trickles down, informing how teams work together.
—Albert Kim, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
The serial killer is the Red Death wearing the mask of civility and friendship.
—S.a. Cosby, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
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Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris play characters carved out of granite — monuments of a bygone era that maybe should be swept aside by civility and industrialization.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
When leaders lean into compassion and civility, such positivity trickles down, informing how teams work together.
—Albert Kim, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
The serial killer is the Red Death wearing the mask of civility and friendship.
—S.a. Cosby, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civility. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvil-ət-ē
plural civilities
1
: civilized conduct
especially
: courtesy sense 1, politeness
2
: a polite act or expression
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