Taxonomic term used in biology and zoology; refers to the order Primates, which includes monkeys, apes, and humans.
Humans belong to the order Primates.
From 霊長 (れいちょう, 'lord of all creation; the most intelligent of all creatures') + 目 (もく, 'order' in biological taxonomy). The term reflects the traditional view of primates, especially humans, as the highest form of life.