humanoid

American  

[hyoo-muh-noid, yoo-] / ˈhju məˌnɔɪd, ˈju- /

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

The government has designated robotics a strategic industry, and says that by last year, more than 140 Chinese companies had already launched more than 330 humanoid robot models.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

The next major catalysts for the stock, according to Baird’s Ben Kallo, include the unveiling and start of production of Tesla’s delayed Optimus humanoid robot and new energy products.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Investors would also like to see the latest version of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

For investors, that makes the first question simple: Does the company sell into a bottleneck, or into the broader humanoid dream?

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

He was humanoid, but his skin reminded me of a meat loaf sandwich that had been in someone’s locker all year.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan