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

Chinese firms Unitree and AgiBot aim to again wow spectators with their dextrous humanoid robots, while European start-ups including Genesis and PAL Robotics will also be on show.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

He writes about large global companies such as 3M, Harley-Davidson and Whirlpool and has particular interests in factory safety, humanoid robots and physical AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Tesla has made an overt pivot toward AI, namely humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles, and that transformation now consumes investors’ attention.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

The other was a giant humanoid like a Cyclops, but he was surrounded by a flurry of limbs.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan