Definition of HUMANOID

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A humanoid robot, sometimes called an android, is a robot that resembles a human. Accounts of the yeti, Sasquatch, and Bigfoot continue to fascinate us mainly because of their humanoid characteristics. The idea of creating a monstrous humanoid, such as the Jewish golem or Victor Frankenstein's creation, has intrigued us for centuries. "Humanoid Animation" is a standard for creating humanlike figures for video that lets the same figure be used in a variety of 3-D games—some of which have nothing but humanoids for characters.

Examples of humanoid in a Sentence

The movie is about humanoid aliens invading Earth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two of the final sketches were humanoid ones; these, for me, were the least involving. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "Review: Mummenschanz Offers Wonder, and a Grumpy Trash Bag," 10 July 2018 While this is Terminator-level stuff, the robot will not look humanoid. — Allison Barrie, Fox News, "Tank-killing robot revealed," 22 June 2018 For Skuler, convincing a user that an AI or humanoid robot is human is a dangerous game. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "We Need to Talk About Robots Trying to Pass as Humans," 7 June 2018 The company’s biggest hit so far shows a humanoid robot named Atlas, a kind of 21st Century Tin Man, traipsing across a snowy landscape, picking up cardboard boxes, and being knocked down by a human — but determinedly getting back up again. — Scott Kirsner, BostonGlobe.com, "After viral YouTube fame, Boston Dynamics is ready to sell its robots," 6 July 2018 Ideally those norms won’t include treating humanoid robots like crap, à la Westworld. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "We Need to Talk About Robots Trying to Pass as Humans," 7 June 2018 Carnegie Mellon, for instance, deployed a vaguely humanoid machine called Chimp that rolled on its limbs instead of walking. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "Darpa's Next Challenge? A Grueling Underground Journey," 15 May 2018 Those advertisements showed humanoid animals that bear no resemblance to the real-life crustaceans. — Cassie Armstrong, OrlandoSentinel.com, "National Sea Monkey Day: How to celebrate in Central Florida," 16 May 2018 In the first video, the humanoid Atlas robot goes for a swift jog through a yard and even leaps over a log. — Casey Quackenbush, Time, "Boston Dynamics Shows Off Its Humanoid Robot That Can Run and Jump," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'humanoid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.