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

Find insight on OpenAI, regulation for humanoid robots, AI demand and more in the latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Production of those cars stopped earlier this month as Tesla prepares to turn that production capacity into a line making humanoid robots.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

A Chinese FSD launch would represent some AI progress at Tesla, which has pinned its future on AI applications such as FSD, robo-taxis, and humanoid robots.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

It is investing heavily in AI and humanoid robots.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Rachael said, “Do you know what the lifespan of a humanoid robot such as myself is? I’ve been in existence two years. How long do you calculate I have?”

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick