1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans (see human entry 2)
the human brain
human voices
problems that have occurred throughout human history
2
: consisting of or involving humans
everyone held hands and made a human chain
human interactions
human spaceflight
3
a
: having human form or attributes
the statue is more human than the beings at his feet—
Clifton Fadiman
Clifton Fadiman
b
: representative of or susceptible to the sympathies and frailties of human nature
human kindness
a human weakness
such an inconsistency is very human—P. E. More
P. E. More
: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens) : a person : man sense 1c
—usually plural
a disease that affects both humans and animals
incomprehensible to us humans—William James
William JamesSynonyms
Adjective
Noun
Examples of human in a Sentence
Adjective
problems that have occurred throughout human history
She is a very kind and human person.
The dog's expression was almost human.
The assembly line was a human machine.
Everyone held hands and formed a human chain.
Noun
humans are the only mammals not endowed with a natural defense against the elements, such as fur or a thick hide
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
The question thus becomes one of the oldest in all of human existence: how to make men happy and fulfilled.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Spies recognize that nearly all humans, regardless of their flaws, possess at least one redeeming quality—some kernel of humanity a spy can focus on.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for human 
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Adjective
The agency confirmed that the remains were human almost immediately, but stopped short of providing an ID until this week.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
The question thus becomes one of the oldest in all of human existence: how to make men happy and fulfilled.
—Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
The result could be that humans starve and die off due to a lack of available resources.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Spies recognize that nearly all humans, regardless of their flaws, possess at least one redeeming quality—some kernel of humanity a spy can focus on.
—Jeremy Hurewitz, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for human
Articles Related to human
Dictionary Entries Near human
Cite this Entry
“Human.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
human
1 of 2 adjective
hu·man
ˈhyü-mən 
ˈyü-
1
: relating to or characteristic of human beings
especially
: showing qualities typical of human beings
a human failing
2
: consisting of or involving human beings
human spaceflight
3
: having human form or characteristics
the dog's expression was almost human
Medical Definition
1
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans
the human body
human biochemistry
b
: primarily or usually harbored by, affecting, or attacking humans
human diseases
human parasites
2
: being or consisting of humans
the human race
3
: consisting of members of the genus Homo
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