human resources

American  

[hyoo-muhn ree-sawr-sis, ree-zawr-siz, yoo-muhn] / ˈhyu mən ˈri sɔr sɪs, ˈri zɔr sɪz, ˈyu mən /

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) people, especially the personnel employed by a given company, institution, or the like.

2. (used with a singular verb) human resources department.

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human resources British  

plural noun

1. 1. the workforce of an organization

   2. ( as modifier )

      human-resources management

      human-resources officer

2. 1. the office or department in an organization that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees

   2. ( as modifier )

      a human-resources consultancy

3. the contribution to an employing organization which its workforce could provide in effort, skills, knowledge, etc

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Etymology

Origin of human resources

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Human resources advisory firm Mercer projects a deficit of 100,000 healthcare workers by 2028, mostly among nursing assistants, while the aging population drives up demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Human resources manager Rachael Wild, 50, took her seven-year-old son Casper, who has special educational needs, to Spain during term-time.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

Human resources managers use machine learning software to analyze millions of employment-related data points, churning out recommendations of whom to interview, hire, promote or help retain.

From Washington Post • Feb. 20, 2023

Human resources professionals say that objections to vaccination are steadily disappearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2021

Human resources personnel might ask themselves if they can afford your salary.

From Encyclopedia.com • Sep. 19, 2018