Definition of hominin
: any of a taxonomic tribe (Hominini) of hominids that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms
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Recent Examples of hominin from the Web
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With the exception of our closest hominin relatives, fossil primates almost never make the news.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hominin'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of hominin
New Latin Hominini, from Homin-, Homo + -ini, tribe suffix, from Latin -inus 1-ine
First Known Use: 1989
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