Operating system on which Android is partly based
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 22, 2026
Stuck on the clue Operating system on which Android is partly based from the New York Times Mini for March 22, 2026? We have the correct 5-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Operating system on which Android is partly based (5)
Answer
The answer to Operating system on which Android is partly based is Linux (5 letters).
Why does Linux fit this clue?
This clue uses a technical definition to point directly to LINUX, an open-source operating system kernel. Linux is a Unix-like system that serves as the foundation for many computer operating systems, including mobile platforms. Android, Google's mobile operating system, is built on top of the Linux kernel, which handles core functions like memory management, process scheduling, and hardware communication. While Android adds its own application framework and user interface on top of Linux, the underlying kernel remains Linux-based, making this technical relationship the bridge between clue and answer.
What does Operating system on which Android is partly based mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
operating system
noun
•software that manages computer hardware and provides services for other programs
Android
noun
•mobile operating system developed by Google for smartphones and tablets
partly
adverb
•to some extent but not completely
based
verb
•founded or built upon something as a starting point
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 3-down in the New York Times Mini on March 22, 2026, by Joel Fagliano. See all answers for this puzzle.
NYT Mini — Mar 22, 2026
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What does Linux mean?
noun
•Any unix-like operating system distro that uses the Linux kernel.
Origin of the word Linux
•origin: Finnish personal name 'Linus' + Unix
•period: 1991
The name was coined by Linus Torvalds who initially wanted to call his operating system 'Freax' but the FTP server administrator changed it to Linux without his permission.
How to use Linux in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Linux.
•“Android's success can be attributed in part to its foundation on Linux, which provides a stable and secure kernel for mobile devices.”
•“Many web servers run on Linux because of its reliability and open-source nature.”
•“The computer science student decided to install Linux on her laptop to learn more about system administration and programming.”
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Mini, Mar 22, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Mini for March 22, 2026 was published by Joel Fagliano and has 10 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Operating system on which Android is partly based
- What is the answer to Operating system on which Android is partly based?
- The answer is Linux (5 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Mini on March 22, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Operating system on which Android is partly based have?
- The answer has 5 letters: Linux.
Author
Naitik Mehta
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Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Mini — Mar 22, 2026
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