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
No responsible adviser in a doctoral program in English now would recommend a single-author dissertation if a tenure-track job in the profession is the goal—an ever more daunting one, given the implosion of literature departments, and of so many disciplines across the humanities.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Both pursuits satisfy our craving for signs of humanity in a being thought to be divine.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Arjona brought that humanity to the sci-fi landscape with her portrayal of Bix, whose journey over the show’s two seasons was marred by tragedy: her capture and subsequent torture by Imperial scientist Dr. Gorst (Joshua James) and PTSD from that imprisonment.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
Cultivating Hybrid Intelligence: The A-Frame Approach To develop the kind of Hybrid Intelligence that serves both performance and humanity, leaders need a practical framework.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Both pursuits satisfy our craving for signs of humanity in a being thought to be divine.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Arjona brought that humanity to the sci-fi landscape with her portrayal of Bix, whose journey over the show’s two seasons was marred by tragedy: her capture and subsequent torture by Imperial scientist Dr. Gorst (Joshua James) and PTSD from that imprisonment.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
Cultivating Hybrid Intelligence: The A-Frame Approach To develop the kind of Hybrid Intelligence that serves both performance and humanity, leaders need a practical framework.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 15 June 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 23 Jun. 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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