robot

[ roh-bot ]

noun

1. a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.
2. a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.
3. any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.

adjective

1. operating automatically:

   a robot train operating between airline terminals.

robot

/ ˈrəʊbɒt /

noun

1. any automated machine programmed to perform specific mechanical functions in the manner of a man
2. modifier not controlled by man; automatic

   a robot pilot

3. a person who works or behaves like a machine; automaton
4. a set of traffic lights

robot

/ rō′bŏt′ /

1. A machine designed to replace human beings in performing a variety of tasks, either on command or by being programmed in advance.

Derived Forms

• ˈrobot-ˌlike, adjective
• roˈbotic, adjective
• ˈrobotism, noun

Other Words From

• ro·bot·ism noun
• ro·bot·ic [roh-, bot, -ik], ro·bo·tis·tic [roh-b, uh, -, tis, -tik, -bo-], adjective
• ro·bot·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of robot¹

< Czech, coined by Karel Čapek in the play R.U.R. (1920) from the base robot-, as in robota compulsory labor, robotník peasant owing such labor

Word History and Origins

Origin of robot¹

C20: (used in R.U.R. , a play by Karel Čapek ) from Czech robota work; related to Old Slavonic rabota servitude, German Arbeit work

Example Sentences

Television footage showed a bomb-defusing robot creeping up to the bag and poking it until it popped with a bright flash.

From Los Angeles Times

The robots have already been used in a local pilot and have helped improve attendance rates by 21%, the council said.

From BBC

The auction house said the historic sale "launches a new frontier in the global art market, establishing the auction benchmark for an artwork by a humanoid robot".

From BBC

The narrative might be one of robots taking jobs, but that doesn’t seem the case here so far.

From BBC

Miso Robotics’ lab in downtown Pasadena is filled with robots of the past and present.

From Los Angeles Times