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
Brooker takes advantage of the comic brilliance that comes from Rae, Jones, and Ross, and puts them in mental dilemmas that test their connections to their own humanity.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
There’s something honorable about her absolute refusal to lie or cheat, even in the midst of what this world has deemed criminal, and the ways in which people who have committed crimes are not always seen in their full humanity or in their integrity.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Silo is another award-winning show, but about humanity living in an underground Silo after the events of a war leaving Earth's surface uninhabitable.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Building telescopes on the far side of the Moon would be the greatest astronomical challenge ever considered by humanity.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Malik Peay, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
There’s something honorable about her absolute refusal to lie or cheat, even in the midst of what this world has deemed criminal, and the ways in which people who have committed crimes are not always seen in their full humanity or in their integrity.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Silo is another award-winning show, but about humanity living in an underground Silo after the events of a war leaving Earth's surface uninhabitable.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Building telescopes on the far side of the Moon would be the greatest astronomical challenge ever considered by humanity.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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