hominin
noun
hom·i·nin
ˈhä-mə-nən 
-ˌnin
: any of a taxonomic tribe (Hominini) of hominids that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms
Examples of hominin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether the product of a dangerous hunt or mere scavenging, the pelt would have provided warmth and perhaps social status for one or more hominins.
—
Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
On the contrary, Neanderthal genes and those of other ancient hominins persisted in the modern human genome, evidence of how intimately we were entangled.
—Sonia Shah, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
At the start of the first (and by far the longest), our hominin ancestors realized that some of the objects that were lying around—rocks, primarily—could be fashioned into implements.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
These hominins walked the Earth long before the emergence of modern humans and exhibit a fascinating mosaic of traits that connect our roots.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
According to their simulations, the potential optimum group size for scavenging hominins was just over 10 individuals.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
Preservation and clarity Usually, to identify hominin tracks, the presence and alignment of toe impressions is a crucial factor.
—Charles Helm, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023
Many Pleistocene hominin fossils discovered in China have been similarly difficult to classify, and were previously perceived to be anomalies, according to the study.
—Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 10 Aug. 2023
During all simulations in which the hominins banded together in groups of fewer than five individuals, hyena populations outcompeted them.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
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Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
On the contrary, Neanderthal genes and those of other ancient hominins persisted in the modern human genome, evidence of how intimately we were entangled.
—Sonia Shah, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
At the start of the first (and by far the longest), our hominin ancestors realized that some of the objects that were lying around—rocks, primarily—could be fashioned into implements.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
These hominins walked the Earth long before the emergence of modern humans and exhibit a fascinating mosaic of traits that connect our roots.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
According to their simulations, the potential optimum group size for scavenging hominins was just over 10 individuals.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
Preservation and clarity Usually, to identify hominin tracks, the presence and alignment of toe impressions is a crucial factor.
—Charles Helm, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023
Many Pleistocene hominin fossils discovered in China have been similarly difficult to classify, and were previously perceived to be anomalies, according to the study.
—Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 10 Aug. 2023
During all simulations in which the hominins banded together in groups of fewer than five individuals, hyena populations outcompeted them.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hominin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin Hominini, from Homin-, Homo + -ini, tribe suffix, from Latin -inus -ine entry 1
First Known Use
1989, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hominin
Cite this Entry
“Hominin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hominin. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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