human being

noun

1. any individual of the genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens.
2. a person, especially as distinguished from other animals or as representing the human species:

   living conditions not fit for human beings; a very generous human being.

human being

noun

1. a member of any of the races of Homo sapiens; person; man, woman, or child

Word History and Origins

Origin of human being¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

“Depravity does not adequately describe the callousness involved to kill a human being and then drive around in the victim’s own car with his body inside in order to carry out the rest of his plan,” O.C.

From Los Angeles Times

Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman described West as "the most wonderful actor and human being".

From BBC

"Though we got off to a rocky start, as I came to know and feel him I saw his enormous potential and sensitivity as an artist and as a human being," Quincy Jones wrote.

From BBC

Following their commitment to moral improvement, Black American liberals also recognized the fundamental equality of every human being in the spiritual sense of comprising “one blood.”

From Salon

The autobiographical form is well-suited for articulating an “identity-aware” liberalism because those who write them must contend with the tension between the particularity of individual experience and the universality of sentiments and ideas that can connect us to each other, and possibly to every human being in the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• human
• mortal
• person
• soul