humanism

American  

[hyoo-muh-niz-uhm, yoo-] / ˈhju məˌnɪz əm, ˈju- /

noun

1. any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate.

2. devotion to or study of the humanities.

3. (sometimes initial capital letter) the studies, principles, or culture of the humanists.

4. Philosophy. a variety of ethical theory and practice that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and often rejects the importance of belief in God.

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humanism British  

/ ˈhjuːməˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity; the rejection of religion in favour of a belief in the advancement of humanity by its own efforts

2. a philosophical position that stresses the autonomy of human reason in contradistinction to the authority of the Church

3. (often capital) a cultural movement of the Renaissance, based on classical studies

4. interest in the welfare of people

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Other Word Forms

• antihumanism
  noun
• humanist
  noun
• semihumanism
  noun
• humanistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of humanism

First recorded in 1805–15; human + -ism

Explanation

Do you think humans should use their brains and reason to be the best they can be, instead of relying on religion? Then you believe in humanism. Humanism comes from the Latin humanitas, which means "education that befits a civilized man." This belief system or cultural movement bubbled up during the Renaissance, promoting classical Greek and Roman values like reason, justice and ethics instead of supernatural religious ideas. People who follow humanism are called humanists, and they've probably studied a lot of literature, philosophy and history.

Example Sentences

"Women can bring more humanism," said the Chilean ex-president Bachelet, who is also a former UN rights chief.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

At its best, “The Innocents of Florence” is an example of a complicated humanism: An empathetic study of the perpetual interplay between good intentions, human frailties and imperfect outcomes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

It’s Lynch’s humanism that started those cars down all of those dark roads, in “Twin Peaks” and in the opening credits of “Lost Highway” and “Mulholland Drive.”

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2025

“To divorce sexuality from humanism and personality is a mistake,” the late therapist Joy Browne, who then hosted a San Francisco radio show, told Newsweek in 1982.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2024

Only such real, meaningful actions as those which are sincerely motivated from a deep sense of humanism and moral responsibility can get at the basic causes that produce the racial explosions in America today.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey