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

He often talks about futuristic technologies and visions of a world where humanoid robots do all the work, money has been discarded and self-driving vehicles roam the streets.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

“There now may be an accelerated commercialization timeline for humanoid robots in the United States, and we expect domestic production to begin to ramp up materially over the next 12 months,” Sheppard adds.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Tesla is all about AI these days with its AI-trained self-driving cars, robo-taxis, and humanoid robot Optimus.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Palo Alto-based 1X Technologies is already manufacturing its 66-pound, 5-foot-6 humanoid named Neo at its factory in Hayward.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

The journal pages spun and coiled in the air until they formed a humanoid figure.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia