humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān 

yü-

1

: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals

humane prison guards

a more humane way of treating farm animals

2

: characterized by or tending to broad humanistic culture : humanistic

humane studies

humanely adverb

humaneness

hyü-ˈmān-nəs 

yü-

noun

Synonyms of humane

• compassionate
• benevolent
• kind

Examples of humane in a Sentence

It's not humane to treat animals that way.

Conditions in the prison are more humane now.

Recent Examples on the Web

America must pursue firm, humane and lawful immigration reform. —Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026

Congress and the executive branch must finally come up with an effective and humane plan for the settlement of the many people all over the globe who want to live here. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026

But that result should occur through a more orderly and humane policy than currently in place. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

But that result should occur through a more orderly and humane policy than currently in place. —Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English humain

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for humane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

humane

adjective

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān 

yü-

: marked by sympathy or consideration for others

humanely adverb

humaneness

-ˈmān-nəs 

noun