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
The humanities will survive not by defending an imagined past of disinterested purity, but by demonstrating their necessity in a fractured republic.
—The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Vampires represent those who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 June 2026
At all stages of history, Habermas shows, humanity has been trying to work out codes for the common good, and these surface even in times of dogmatic repression.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Çelik said at the press conference that the trilogy as a whole reflects his concern that humanity is moving toward a point where people no longer hear, see or understand one another.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Vampires represent those who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 June 2026
At all stages of history, Habermas shows, humanity has been trying to work out codes for the common good, and these surface even in times of dogmatic repression.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Çelik said at the press conference that the trilogy as a whole reflects his concern that humanity is moving toward a point where people no longer hear, see or understand one another.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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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