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
Is humanity worth saving when it's turned against nature and would rather repeat past cycles of violence on a distant moon than learn from its mistakes?
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The Others’ respect for the planet and the living things that occupy it is a stark reminder of humanity’s own reckless disinterest in sustainability and environmental justice.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
For more than 20 years, the filmmaker has explored social contexts for some of humanity’s most destructive behavior in works like Lady Vengeance, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave by taking his stories in unexpectedly funny and poignant directions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
June Squibb makes history in Marjorie Prime, the 96-year-old filling every moment of the heartbreaking drama with quiet wisdom and aching humanity.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
The Others’ respect for the planet and the living things that occupy it is a stark reminder of humanity’s own reckless disinterest in sustainability and environmental justice.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
For more than 20 years, the filmmaker has explored social contexts for some of humanity’s most destructive behavior in works like Lady Vengeance, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave by taking his stories in unexpectedly funny and poignant directions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
June Squibb makes history in Marjorie Prime, the 96-year-old filling every moment of the heartbreaking drama with quiet wisdom and aching humanity.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 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
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