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
Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
However, human clinical trials are essential before camel milk can be recommended as a treatment or preventive measure for asthma.
—New Atlas, 6 July 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
If humans don’t intervene, everything finds its place.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for human
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Adjective
Dubey’s vision makes marketing more human by making creativity more accessible and raising the quality bar.
—Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
However, human clinical trials are essential before camel milk can be recommended as a treatment or preventive measure for asthma.
—New Atlas, 6 July 2025
Noun
Voila, the cost and effort by humans drop to nothing.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
If humans don’t intervene, everything finds its place.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for human
Cite this Entry
“Human.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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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