hominid

1 of 2

noun

hom·​i·​nid ˈhä-mə-nəd 

-ˌnid

plural hominids

: any of a family (Hominidae) of erect bipedal primate mammals that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms and in some recent classifications the great apes (the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo)

hominid

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a member of a family (Hominidae) of erect, bipedal, primate mammals that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms and in some recent classifications the gorilla, chimpanzee, and orangutan

The discovery of a 3.5-million-year-old hominid skull and other fossil remains in northern Kenya is shaking the human family tree at its very roots.

—Michael Balter

Examples of hominid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Researchers believe this may be the earliest evidence of sympatry between hominid species. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024

In 2015, Böhme and colleagues found the fossils of a hominid the researchers would eventually name Danuvius guggenmosi. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 June 2024

Adjective

If the researchers can extend their findings to earlier spheroids found in Africa, from the Oldowan stone industry, then the balls could serve as some of the first evidence of hominid intelligence. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023

Generations that lived through the stark 117,000-year period helped to rebuild hominid populations in Europe and Asia to a relatively stable level of about 27,160 breeders. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin Hominidae, from Homin-, Homo + -idae

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hominid

noun

hom·​i·​nid ˈhäm-ə-nəd 

-ˌnid

: any of a family of two-footed primate mammals that include the human beings together with their extinct ancestors and related forms

hominid adjective

Medical Definition

hominid

noun

hom·​i·​nid ˈhäm-ə-nəd, -ˌnid 

: any of a family (Hominidae) of erect, bipedal, primate mammals that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms and the gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, and orangutan

hominid adjective