English Reference
Noun

humankind

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈhjumənˌkaɪnd/ UK /hjˈuːmɐŋkˌaɪnd/ hu·mankind UK spelling humankinds

n.all the people in the world as a single group. It is a more modern way to say 'mankind'.

n.the human race considered collectively. Often preferred over 'mankind' in contemporary academic and formal contexts to ensure gender neutrality.


SIMPLE

The history of humankind is full of amazing inventions.

CONTEXTUAL

Space exploration is often described as a giant leap for all of humankind.

COMPLEX

The preservation of biodiversity is not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental necessity for the long-term survival of humankind on this planet.

Usage

Takes a singular verb; often used without an article when referring to the species as a whole.

The Artemis III mission was initially expected to return humankind to the moon.

Al Jazeera· 28 Aug 2026

From human + -kind.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated