1. the process of becoming human or acquiring human characteristics; the evolutionary development of human traits
Usage: present participle of hominize; used in anthropology and evolutionary biology; formal or academic register

Examples

• The hominizing process involved the development of bipedalism and increased brain size.
• Scientists study the hominizing stages of our evolutionary ancestors.
• The transition from ape-like creatures to humans represents a long hominizing period.
• Hominizing traits include tool use and complex language development.
• Researchers debate the timeline of hominizing in early primate species.