An android is a robot designed to look and act like a human being. Unlike regular robots that might look like metal boxes or mechanical arms, an android has a human shape: a head, two arms, two legs, and a body. Some androids are so lifelike they can walk, talk, and move their faces in ways that make them seem almost human.

Science fiction writers have imagined androids for over a century, and they appear in stories like Star Wars (C-3PO is a humanoid robot, though more obviously mechanical than a true android).

Real androids exist today, though they're not as advanced as the ones in movies. Scientists in Japan and other countries have built androids that can hold conversations and make realistic facial expressions. These androids help researchers understand human movement and communication.

Don't confuse android with robot: all androids are robots, but most robots aren't androids. A robot arm in a factory is just a robot. An android specifically mimics human form and behavior.

The word also names a popular smartphone operating system, though that's a completely different meaning.