Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Created from synthetic organic material, and thus more android than mechanical, these worker-roboti ultimately overthrow their human masters.—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026 Hugh is wounded in a fall but is treated by Diana, a mysterious little girl who also happens to be an android with immense hacking capabilities.—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026 Amid a boon in futuristic technology, a relic of the past and one of the most famous androids to appear on the big screen has resulted in a whopping sale at Propstore’s spring entertainment memorabilia live auction.—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026 With Diana at his side, Hugh could command her to hack an android.—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for android
Word History
Etymology
earlier androides "automaton having a human form," borrowed from French androïde, perhaps borrowed from Late Greek androeidḗs "in the form of a man, like a man," from Greek andr-, anḗr "man, husband, human" + -oeidēs-oid entry 2 — more at andro-
Note:
The word may equally well have been formed in post-medieval Latin, but evidence is lacking. An early English instance can be found in The History of Magick by way of Apology, for all the Wise Men who have unjustly been reputed Magicians (London, 1657), a translation, by "J. Davies," of Apologie pour tous les grands personnages qui ont esté faussement soupçonnez de magie (Paris, 1625) by the French librarian and scholar Gabriel Naudé (1600-53). The French word occurs earlier in Le mastigophore, ou precurseur du Zodiaque ([Paris]: 1609), a satirical work by the priest Antoine Fuzy/Fusi (1560-1629). Both authors use androïde in connection with the legendary talking automaton devised by albertus magnus, without any suggestion that the word was a neologism.