human resources

American  

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

There was no such luck for Ismael Veranes, the round-faced human resources director of Cuba's national theater.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

He acknowledged receiving employee concerns through an anonymous program, managers and human resources on the matter, which he described as “troubling.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Aside from more jobs in areas such as construction, gardening, human resources and science, "benefits" would include "improved bus links, cycling routes, flood resilience, and biodiverse landscaping".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Biosphere's human resources director in Dnipro, Olena Shpitz, said the factory employs 500 people, down from 800 before Russia invaded in 2022.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Fifteen trains leave Lecherfa every twenty-four hours, says Jose Patricio Sanchez Arellano, who handles human resources for Lecherfa and other stations for Ferrocarril y Terminal del Valle de Mexico.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario