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 BowraExamples 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
The movie was made under the prowess of Kennedy’s father — who had once been a film executive — so JFK is made to look like the very best of humanity, but that seems like more of a problem for June 1963, when it was released, than, say, December 1963.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
The two battle it out, and after losing one of his wings, Wilson attempts to appeal to Red Hulk's humanity — in a classic Captain America moment — in order to bring him back down to the life-size Ross.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
With help from the African-American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and several other arts and humanities groups, the first sign was installed in 2023.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
But his career came at a price, challenging his sense of identity and humanity, with Williams often torn between breaking boundaries and the painful choices that bring success.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
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Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
The two battle it out, and after losing one of his wings, Wilson attempts to appeal to Red Hulk's humanity — in a classic Captain America moment — in order to bring him back down to the life-size Ross.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
With help from the African-American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and several other arts and humanities groups, the first sign was installed in 2023.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
But his career came at a price, challenging his sense of identity and humanity, with Williams often torn between breaking boundaries and the painful choices that bring success.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for humanity
Cite this Entry
“Humanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humanity. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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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