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

Some of the first human beings to arrive in Tasmania, over 41,000 years ago, used fire to shape and manage the landscape, about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought.

From Science Daily

“The Saints” examines its subjects as human beings, flaws and all, in dramatizations that have the kind of cinematic feel viewers expect from a Scorsese project.

From Los Angeles Times

He echoed that sentiment in his speech at Thursday’s ceremony, during which he spoke about the importance of remembering the human being behind crime data.

From Los Angeles Times

“They’re all human beings with senses of humor who want fun things to happen and want good things to take place in their lives,” he said.

From Salon

"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

Related Words

• human
• mortal
• person
• soul