mankind

noun

man·​kind

singular or plural in construction

1

ˈman-ˈkīnd 

-ˌkīnd

: the human race : the totality of human beings

2

ˈman-ˌkīnd  : men especially as distinguished from women

Synonyms of mankind

• humanity
• human

Examples of mankind in a Sentence

all of mankind stands to gain if world peace is ever achieved

Recent Examples on the Web

The geologist Charles Lyell proposed that the very ground beneath mankind’s feet had been reshaped countless times before the beginning of human history and was even now in a state of flux. —Kathryn Hughes, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

The original show's opening moments see its characters watching a Russian step on the moon, and that one historical change sets off a butterfly effect creating a whole new history for mankind. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

According to the Bible, he was sacrificed to pay for the sins of mankind and his body was later laid to rest in a nearby tomb. —Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 25 Mar. 2026

On the other hand, the potential to solve mankind’s most vexing problems is tantalizing. —G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mankind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• behind
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined
• enshrined

Kids Definition

mankind

noun

man·​kind

1

ˈman-ˈkīnd, 

-ˌkīnd

: the human race : all human beings

2

-ˌkīnd

: men rather than women

Medical Definition

mankind

noun singular but singular or plural in construction

man·​kind ˈman-ˈkīnd, -ˌkīnd 

: the human race : the totality of human beings