the area around the eastern Mediterranean; from Turkey to northern Africa and eastward to Iran; the site of such ancient civilizations as Phoenicia and Babylon and Egypt and the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity and Islam; had continuous economic and political turmoil in the 20th century; "the Middle East is the cradle of Western civilization"
the act of officially naming a candidate; "the Republican nomination for Governor"
the condition of having been proposed as a suitable candidate for appointment or election; "there was keen competition for the nomination"; "his nomination was hotly protested"
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); "the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization"
the social process whereby societies achieve civilization