ScienceAugust 11, 2026

hominin

HOM-ih-nin

Definition

A member of the taxonomic group Hominini, which includes modern humans, extinct human species, and our immediate ancestors.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'homo' meaning 'man' and the taxonomic suffix '-in', which denotes a subtribe. It was coined to distinguish human-related lineages from other primates.

In the news

In studies of human evolution, hominin is used to categorize the specific lineages that diverged from the common ancestor shared with chimpanzees. It is essential for mapping the genetic history of human hybridization events.

Genetics and genomics of hybridization

Read the full article ↗

Nature

Related words

admixed

Referring to a population or individual that contains genetic material derived from two…

Science

admixture

The act of mixing different ancestral populations, or the resulting genetic composition…

Science

alleles

One of two or more alternative forms of a specific gene that arise by mutation and are…

Science

atopic

Relating to a clinical predisposition toward developing hypersensitive or allergic…

Science

cichlid

A family of freshwater fish species known for rapid evolution and diversification,…

Science

coalescent

Relating to or denoting a model of genetic history in which lineages of genes in a…

Science

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.