human resources

[hyoo-muhn ree-sawr-sis, ree-zawr-siz, yoo-muhn]

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.

human resources

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of human resources¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Those unable to comply should contact human resources about a “voluntary exit assistance package,” NBCUniversal told employees.

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She later learned that prior to being promoted, Michael Henderson, who is now the city’s police chief, contacted a human resources director to inquire as to whether he could ask Clasby if she planned to have more children, according to the lawsuit.

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Human resources informed him that such questions are illegal.

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The contract was up to be renewed for another $45,000 on June 5; however, prior to the meeting a concerned individual reached out to the school district’s human resources department about the contract and an internal investigation was initiated.

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Even the human resources scolds; yes, you might even miss the human resources department, if it were gone.

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