Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-(ˌ)mō-ˈsā-pē-ˌenz 

-ənz,

especially British

-ˈsa-pē-ənz 

: humankind

Synonyms

• humanity
• humankind
• man
• mankind

Examples of Homo sapiens in a Sentence

All people are members of Homo sapiens.

how far into the outer reaches of the universe will Homo sapiens someday be able to go?

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, species name, from Homo, genus name + sapiens, specific epithet, from Latin, wise, intelligent — more at homo, sapient

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-mō-ˈsap-ē-ənz 

-ˈsā-pē-ˌenz

: the human race

Etymology

scientific Latin, derived from homo "human being" and sapiens "wise, intelligent"

Medical Definition

Homo sapiens

noun

Ho·​mo sa·​pi·​ens ˌhō-(ˌ)mō-ˈsap-ē-ənz  -ˈsā-pē- 

-ˌenz

: mankind, humankind