Android
/ˈændrɔɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsA robot with a humanlike appearance and often humanlike capabilities.
/ˈændrɔɪd/
A robot with a human appearance.
The movie showcased a realistic android.
💡 Simply: A robot that looks like a person.
More Examples
Scientists are working on creating more human-like androids.
How It's Used
"The science fiction novel featured advanced androids indistinguishable from humans."
"Researchers are developing sophisticated androids for various applications."
A mobile operating system developed by Google.
/ˈændrɔɪd/
The Android operating system.
My phone uses the Android operating system.
💡 Simply: The software that runs many phones.
More Examples
Android is a very popular mobile OS.
How It's Used
"Many smartphones run on the Android operating system."
From Greek *andrós* (man) + *eidos* (form, shape). Originally referring to a humanoid figure, the term later transitioned to refer to a type of robot.
The word's use in robotics predates its widespread use in the context of the operating system.
Memory tip
Think 'andro' (man) + 'oid' (resembling); it resembles a man.
Word Origin
"man-shaped"