hominin

noun

hom·​i·​nin ˈhä-mə-nən How to pronounce hominin (audio)
-ˌnin
: any of a taxonomic tribe (Hominini) of hominids that includes recent humans together with extinct ancestral and related forms

Examples of hominin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Join 2 others in the comments View Comments The finding suggests that hominins were capable of critical thinking and innovative craftsmanship, but scientists are still trying to figure out who exactly made the tools. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 New evidence uncovered in east Africa indicates ancient hominins began crafting tools from animal bones far earlier than previously thought. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025 The findings cast new light on the behavior of Paleolithic hominins, providing important new insights into the development of abstract thinking and cultural complexity in this period. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 Traditionally, there was skepticism about the existence of abstract or symbolic thought in early hominins. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hominin

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Hominini, from Homin-, Homo + -ini, tribe suffix, from Latin -inus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hominin was in 1989

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Cite this Entry

“Hominin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hominin. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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