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
As four astronauts get set to blast off on humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than half a century, comparisons between Apollo and NASA’s new Artemis program are inevitable.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Wiseman, 50, a retired Navy captain from Baltimore, was serving as NASA’s chief astronaut when asked three years ago to lead humanity’s first lunar trip since 1972.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
But the crew has also talked about the importance of the mission to them, not only as individuals with different life experiences but also as representatives of humanity.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
But the larger point remains — the need for humanity in the creative process.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Wiseman, 50, a retired Navy captain from Baltimore, was serving as NASA’s chief astronaut when asked three years ago to lead humanity’s first lunar trip since 1972.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
But the crew has also talked about the importance of the mission to them, not only as individuals with different life experiences but also as representatives of humanity.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
But the larger point remains — the need for humanity in the creative process.
—Jennifer Silverman, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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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