mankind

[man-kahynd, man-kahynd]

noun

1. the human race; human beings collectively without reference to gender; humankind.

   It is no longer possible, if it ever was, for a single human brain to hold all of mankind's scientific knowledge.

2. men, as distinguished from women.

   Some still maintain that mankind is stronger, braver, smarter than womankind, but many others consider that absolute nonsense.

mankind

/ ˌmænˈkaɪnd /

noun

1. human beings collectively; humanity

2. men collectively, as opposed to womankind

Usage

Nowadays many people object to the use of mankind to refer to all human beings and use the term humankind instead

Gender Note

Is man gender-neutral? See man.

Other Word Forms

• premankind noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mankind¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; man ( def. ) + kind ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

I believe the problem is conditional as opposed to being something inherent in mankind.

From Salon

His words echo those of another space commander, Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon: "One small step for Man, one giant leap for mankind".

From BBC

But in the franchise’s ongoing parable of mankind’s hubris, the all-seeing enigma in “Alien: Earth” adds another reason to make us shudder.

From Salon

The Nashville-bred comedian talks about the advice he got from past Emmys hosts, and how he plans to help A-list celebrities wrap it up at the podium for the good of all mankind.

From Los Angeles Times

His human creator programmed this into them, giving Roy and the Replicants who join him in rebellion a reason to despise mankind.

From Salon

Related Words

• humanity 
• humankind 
• society