sapiens

adjective

sa·​pi·​ens ˈsa-pē-ənz 

ˈsā-,

-ˌenz

: of, relating to, or being recent humans (Homo sapiens) as distinguished from various fossil hominids

Examples of sapiens in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, there’s evidence, especially in North America and Siberia, of H. sapiens hunting megafauna. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023

The authors suggest fossils found at other Israeli sites, including the famous Lady of Tabun, might also be part of this new human population, in contrast to their previous Neanderthal or H. sapiens identification. —Michelle Langley, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2021

Research published online today in Science has identified these sapiens-specific variants and homed in on one in particular that may have brought about a pivotal change in the way our brain develops. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2021

In that case, an early H. sapiens woman likely interbred with a Neanderthal man more than 220,000 years ago and their descendants carried the modern mtDNA. —Ann Gibbons, Science | AAAS, 24 Sep. 2020

Researchers say that in comparisons with Neanderthal and H. sapiens species, the dimensions of the fossil finger fell within the range of measures for ancient and modern humans -- not Neanderthals. —Fox News, 5 Sep. 2019

However, other high-altitude groups show different, uniquely H. sapiens adaptations. —Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2019

Until this week, the earliest known fossils of Homo sapiens were about 200,000 years old. —Annalee Newitz, Ars Technica, 11 June 2017

The remaining challenge, however, was to identify these fossils as clearly being Homo sapiens. —Ben Panko, Smithsonian, 8 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin (specific epithet of Homo sapiens), from Latin, present participle of sapere

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sapiens

• Homo sapiens

Medical Definition

sapiens

see homo sapiens