unmanned

American  

[uhn-mand] / ˌʌnˈmænd /

adjective

1. without the physical presence of a person or people on board; uncrewed.

   an unmanned spacecraft.

2. Falconry. (of a captured hawk) untrained for hunting with a master; unmade.

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unmanned British  

/ ʌnˈmænd /

adjective

1. lacking personnel or crew

   an unmanned ship

2. (of aircraft, spacecraft, etc) operated by automatic or remote control

3. uninhabited

4. falconry (of a hawk or falcon) not yet trained to accept humans

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Etymology

Origin of unmanned

First recorded in 1535–45; un- ¹ ( def. ) + manned ( def. )

Example Sentences

They said it handled "the research, development, and production of a wide range of naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels, manned and unmanned equipment, as well as engines and weapons".

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz could prove to be a testing ground for unmanned technology and AI in mine clearance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

On Friday, the Pentagon awarded privately held Anduril a $20 billion contract in part to counter unmanned aerial systems — drones, that is.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Libyan port officials said initially that the tanker had sunk, but it has been floating, unmanned and dangerous ever since.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

"Fifteen," she said, "fourteen . . . thirteen . . . twelve . . . eleven . . ." Thousands had gathered at Cape Canaveral, the largest crowd ever to watch an unmanned launch.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir