Definition

1. Noun:
   • The human race; all human beings collectively: "humanity" refers to the entire population of human beings on Earth.
   • The quality of being humane; benevolence: "humanity" means kindness, compassion, and sympathy towards others.
   • The quality or condition of being human; human nature: "humanity" refers to the state or fact of being a human, including all its attributes.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (The human race):
  • Advances in medicine benefit all of humanity.
  • The historian studied the art and culture of humanity across the ages.
• Noun (Humane quality):
  • She treated the prisoners with great humanity.
  • The charity's work is a true act of humanity.
• Noun (Human nature):

Advanced Usage

• "Crime against humanity": an act that is considered an offense against all people, often used in international law.
  • The tribunal was established to prosecute crimes against humanity.
• "Common humanity": the shared experience and condition of being human that connects all people.
  • In times of crisis, we must remember our common humanity.

Variants and Related Words

• Humane (adj): characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals.
  • The goal is to find a more humane method.
• Humanitarian (adj/n): concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare; a person who promotes human welfare.
  • The country received humanitarian aid after the earthquake.
• Humanities (n, plural): academic disciplines that study human culture, such as literature, philosophy, and history.
  • She decided to major in the humanities.

Synonyms

• Humankind: the human race.
• Mankind: the human race (note: this term is sometimes considered gender-specific).
• Compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others.

Related Phrases

• To show humanity: to act with compassion or mercy.
  • Even in war, soldiers are expected to show humanity to civilians.
• The face of humanity: a representation of the collective human condition or spirit.
  • The volunteer's selfless work showed the best face of humanity.

Related Idioms

• To lose one's humanity: to become cruel or inhumane.
  • The dictator had completely lost his humanity.
• A triumph of humanity: a great achievement that benefits or exemplifies the best qualities of people.
  • The peaceful resolution was a triumph of humanity over conflict.

Noun

1. all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
   • all the world loves a lover
   • she always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
2. the quality of being human
   • he feared the speedy decline of all manhood
3. the quality of being humane