hominin
noun
hom·i·nin
ˈhä-mə-nən 
-ˌnin
: any of a taxonomic tribe (Hominini) of hominids that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms
Examples of hominin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Traditionally, there was skepticism about the existence of abstract or symbolic thought in early hominins.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Together, the bones and tracks reveal hominins that split their time between the ground and the trees that were beginning to become scarcer as the world’s climate grew cooler and drier.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024
Footprints reveal ancient hominin interactions While stories about interactions between the more recent species of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans aren’t unexpected these days, scientists are often only left to speculate about how earlier hominins may have interacted with each other.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
In complex societies where members often lose sight of one another—such as those of elephants or our hominin ancestors—the need to identify and attract others’ attention might have driven cognitive abilities and language development.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 10 June 2024
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Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Together, the bones and tracks reveal hominins that split their time between the ground and the trees that were beginning to become scarcer as the world’s climate grew cooler and drier.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024
Footprints reveal ancient hominin interactions While stories about interactions between the more recent species of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans aren’t unexpected these days, scientists are often only left to speculate about how earlier hominins may have interacted with each other.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
In complex societies where members often lose sight of one another—such as those of elephants or our hominin ancestors—the need to identify and attract others’ attention might have driven cognitive abilities and language development.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 10 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for hominin
Cite this Entry
“Hominin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hominin. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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