1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans (see human entry 2)
the human brain
human voices
problems that have occurred throughout human history
2
: consisting of or involving humans
everyone held hands and made a human chain
human interactions
human spaceflight
3
a
: having human form or attributes
The statue is more human than the beings at his feet.—
Clifton Fadiman
Clifton Fadiman
b
: representative of or susceptible to the sympathies and frailties of human nature
human kindness
a human weakness
such an inconsistency is very human—P. E. More
P. E. More
: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens) : a person : man sense 1c
—usually plural
a disease that affects both humans and animals
… incomprehensible to us humans.—William James
William James
hu·man·ness
-mən(n)ə̇s 
plural -es
: the quality or state of being human
we miss the humanity, or humanness, that would inspire us to love or to hate his people—New Yorker
New Yorkerthe public image of you lacks warmth, and depth, and humanness—Stewart Alsop
Stewart AlsopExamples of human in a Sentence
Adjective
problems that have occurred throughout human history
She is a very kind and human person.
The dog's expression was almost human.
The assembly line was a human machine.
Everyone held hands and formed a human chain.
Noun (1)
humans are the only mammals not endowed with a natural defense against the elements, such as fur or a thick hide
Recent Examples on the Web
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Those pile on top of natural climate patterns and other human influence.
—Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
The human's job isn't to proofread the agent's copy.
—Micha Hershman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for human
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Essential fatty acids are also critical — the human brain is nearly 60% fat — and storing fat about the body is a priority for times when food is scarce.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Those pile on top of natural climate patterns and other human influence.
—Alexa St. John, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Noun
As planetary geologists, my colleagues and I are excited by this next phase of lunar exploration as humans get closer to the prospect of in-person fieldwork on the Moon again.
—Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
The human's job isn't to proofread the agent's copy.
—Micha Hershman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for human
Cite this Entry
“Human.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
human
1 of 2 adjective
hu·man
ˈhyü-mən
ˈyü-
1
: relating to or characteristic of human beings
especially
: showing qualities typical of human beings
a human failing
2
: consisting of or involving human beings
human spaceflight
3
: having human form or characteristics
the dog's expression was almost human
Medical Definition
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans
the human body
human biochemistry
b
: primarily or usually harbored by, affecting, or attacking humans
human diseases
human parasites
2
: being or consisting of humans
the human race
3
: consisting of members of the genus Homo
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