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 JamesExamples 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
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
Jackson Thompson Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
At the center of it all is Brent Charles’ sinewy Caius Martius Coriolanus, who runs through the play like a human scythe.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The story of humans fighting a robot race bent on the former’s destruction ends up being a microscope on the national mood of the 2000s, and that’s a phenomenal achievement.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for human
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Adjective
Jim Campbell, chief legal counsel for ADF, pointed to Cross’s alleged experience as one of the human costs behind the legal fight.
—
Jackson Thompson Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
At the center of it all is Brent Charles’ sinewy Caius Martius Coriolanus, who runs through the play like a human scythe.
—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Noun
This is a record sixth flight for Crew Dragon Endeavour, which made SpaceX’s debut human spaceflight in May 2020 on the Demo-2 mission.
—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The story of humans fighting a robot race bent on the former’s destruction ends up being a microscope on the national mood of the 2000s, and that’s a phenomenal achievement.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 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 2 Jul. 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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