Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-(ˌ)mō-ˈsā-pē-ˌenz 

-ənz,

especially British

-ˈsa-pē-ənz 

: humankind

Synonyms

• mankind
• humanity
• human

Examples of Homo sapiens in a Sentence

All people are members of Homo sapiens.

how far into the outer reaches of the universe will Homo sapiens someday be able to go?

Recent Examples on the Web

Yunxian 2 provides a clearer example of an earlier lineage, suggesting that several major human lineages—Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and sister species like Homo longi—may have co-existed for hundreds of thousands of years, interacting and potentially interbreeding. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

Homo sapiens are highly socialized animals prone to cooperate when necessary. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, species name, from Homo, genus name + sapiens, specific epithet, from Latin, wise, intelligent — more at homo, sapient

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-mō-ˈsap-ē-ənz 

-ˈsā-pē-ˌenz

: the human race

Etymology

scientific Latin, derived from homo "human being" and sapiens "wise, intelligent"

Medical Definition

Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-(ˌ)mō-ˈsap-ē-ənz  -ˈsā-pē- 

-ˌenz

: mankind, humankind