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
This film asserts an alternative to war and that another path is possible for humanity.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
TikTok’s algorithm started swamping me with humanities grad students of varying cogency.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Our streets remind the nation that joy is a form of resistance and that humanity itself is an act of protest.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The depth of humanity Kosztolányi brings to the sorrowful life of Skylark and her adoring parents is magical, and rewards anyone who overcomes its modest premise.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
TikTok’s algorithm started swamping me with humanities grad students of varying cogency.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Our streets remind the nation that joy is a form of resistance and that humanity itself is an act of protest.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The depth of humanity Kosztolányi brings to the sorrowful life of Skylark and her adoring parents is magical, and rewards anyone who overcomes its modest premise.
—New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share