hominization

noun

hom·​i·​ni·​za·​tion ˌhä-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: the evolutionary development of human characteristics that differentiate hominids from their primate ancestors

Word History

Etymology

Latin homin-, homo + English -ization

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hominization

noun

hom·​i·​ni·​za·​tion

variants or chiefly British hominisation

ˌhäm-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: the evolutionary development of human characteristics that differentiate hominids from their primate ancestors

hominized adjective

or chiefly British hominised

ˈhäm-ə-ˌnīzd