humanoid

American  

[hyoo-muh-noid, yoo-] / ˈhyu məˌnɔɪd, ˈyu- /

adjective

1. having human characteristics or form; resembling human beings.

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noun

1. a humanoid being.

   to search for humanoids in outer space.

humanoid British  

/ ˈhjuːməˌnɔɪd /

adjective

1. like a human being in appearance

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noun

1. a being with human rather than anthropoid characteristics

2. (in science fiction) a robot or creature resembling a human being

Etymology

Origin of humanoid

First recorded in 1915–20; human + -oid

Explanation

Something that's humanoid looks or acts like a real, live human being — but it's not. A humanoid robot is one that's designed to resemble a person. Anthropologists coined the word humanoid in the 19th century, adding the suffix -oid, or "like," to human. Scientists once used it to talk about humanlike traits in non-human organisms, but today it nearly always describes an automaton or robot. In the Star Wars universe, droids like C-3PO are humanoid, while R2-D2, who doesn’t have arms and legs or a recognizable face, is not.

Example Sentences

While Tesla’s Optimus robots are not yet for sale, Unitree’s offerings signal increasing competition in the humanoid robot market.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

The AI5 chip, which Tesla says will power humanoid robots and supercomputers, has completed a critical step.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

CEO Elon Musk’s massive trillion-dollar 2025 pay award includes the goal of selling one million Optimus humanoid robots.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

China has particularly excelled in so-called "humanoid" robots: machines broadly designed to look and act like people.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

I cracked an eye to discover a little humanoid figure trying to hide inside my shoe, but it had gotten tangled in the laces.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs