humanity
noun
hu·man·i·ty
hyü-ˈma-nə-tē 
yü-
plural humanities
1
: compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane
… bespeaking humanity for the enemy in the midst of a bloody struggle.—
C. G. Bowers
C. G. Bowers2
3
humanities plural
: the branches of learning (such as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs (see construct entry 2 sense 1a) and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics)
4
: the totality of human beings : the human race : humankind
… a fierce compassion for the woes of humanity.—Maurice Bowra
Maurice BowraExamples of humanity in a Sentence
We appealed to his sense of humanity.
These discoveries will be of benefit to all humanity.
She was cut off from the rest of humanity.
the college of arts and humanities
He's taking courses in both the sciences and the humanities.
Recent Examples on the Web
The first part of Bong’s answer applies well to Pluribus, which isn’t specifically a show about AI, but which does ask viewers to think about the value of humanity in the face of a more uniform, homogenizing threat.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Marine insurance lawyers were forced to debate and take into account the humanity of the enslaved, and recognize their desire for freedom.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
And also the epic skill of it was an exercise and a reclamation of these people’s humanity.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
HIs main interest is to explore humanity in all its facets and its relationship with the environment, approached through an intimate and sensitive lens.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Marine insurance lawyers were forced to debate and take into account the humanity of the enslaved, and recognize their desire for freedom.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
And also the epic skill of it was an exercise and a reclamation of these people’s humanity.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
HIs main interest is to explore humanity in all its facets and its relationship with the environment, approached through an intimate and sensitive lens.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
humanity
noun
hu·man·i·ty
hyü-ˈman-ət-ē
yü-
plural humanities
1
: the quality or state of being human or of being humane
2
plural
: studies (as literature, history, and art) concerned primarily with human culture
3
: the whole collection of human beings both past and present
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