humanity
noun
hu·man·i·ty
hyü-ˈma-nə-tē 
yü-
plural humanities
1
: compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane
bespeaking humanity for the enemy in the midst of a bloody struggle—
C. G. Bowers
C. G. Bowers2
3
humanities plural
: the branches of learning (such as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs (see construct entry 2 sense 1a) and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics)
4
: the totality of human beings : the human race : humankind
a fierce compassion for the woes of humanity—Maurice Bowra
Maurice BowraExamples of humanity in a Sentence
We appealed to his sense of humanity.
These discoveries will be of benefit to all humanity.
She was cut off from the rest of humanity.
the college of arts and humanities
He's taking courses in both the sciences and the humanities.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fact is Bruce Springsteen has forever been a man of the people, a man in search of his own definition of his maleness and his humanity.
—Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The Carter catastrophe argument doesn’t tell us when humanity will end.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Artificial intelligence is billed by its profiteers as a new frontier for technology and humanity, but generative AI often perpetuates existing social harms.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The Carter catastrophe argument doesn’t tell us when humanity will end.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Fujimoto's violent world is set in an alternate timeline 1990s where Devils born of humanity's collective fears roam, and operatives known as Devil Hunters often form contracts with them to acquire their characteristics and powers.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Artificial intelligence is billed by its profiteers as a new frontier for technology and humanity, but generative AI often perpetuates existing social harms.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
humanity
noun
hu·man·i·ty
hyü-ˈman-ət-ē
yü-
plural humanities
1
: the quality or state of being human or of being humane
2
plural
: studies (as literature, history, and art) concerned primarily with human culture
3
: the whole collection of human beings both past and present
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