human being

American  

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.

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human being British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of human being

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

"I have lost all motivation for anything," she says, "besides trying to raise a decent human being in this messed up world."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

And to me, watching somebody like that, who can do the broadest physical comedy, but at the same time be oddly a human being and somebody that you relate to.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

His thinking begins instead with three separate givens: God, world, human being.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The 20-minute film follows a duo who form an unlikely friendship and is a delightful meditation on the importance of connecting with another human being.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

For some mysterious reason, he responded as if he saw me as a regular human being who had made a reasonable request.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• human
• mortal
• person
• soul