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 Bowra
Examples 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
Van Buren initially hails Tóth as a genius; his support offers the architect a chance to reclaim not merely the professional identity the war stripped from him but, in exercising his artistry, the essence of his humanity.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, while the dream that humanity will be freed from the shackles of labor and freed to pursue a life of leisure and creativity is attractive, the leap to this utopian state is far from guaranteed.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Jean-Paul Sartre once said that being human is making the idea of humanity progress.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
The proposal to place Mr. Kennedy in charge of the federal agencies responsible for protecting the health of American citizens and for conducting the medical research that benefits our country and the rest of humanity has been widely criticized on multiple grounds.
—Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
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Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, while the dream that humanity will be freed from the shackles of labor and freed to pursue a life of leisure and creativity is attractive, the leap to this utopian state is far from guaranteed.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Jean-Paul Sartre once said that being human is making the idea of humanity progress.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
The proposal to place Mr. Kennedy in charge of the federal agencies responsible for protecting the health of American citizens and for conducting the medical research that benefits our country and the rest of humanity has been widely criticized on multiple grounds.
—Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for humanity
Dictionary Entries Near humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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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