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bots

American  
[bots] / bɒts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

  1. a disease affecting various mammals, especially horses, caused by the attachment of the parasitic larvae of botflies to the stomach of the host.

bots British  
/ bɒts /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) a digestive disease of horses and some other animals caused by the presence of botfly larvae in the stomach

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bots

First recorded in 1780–90; plural of bot 2; -s 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But bots often fail to grasp basic facts, such as insisting that the ratio 1:100 simplifies to 1:25.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

Behind the scenes, there is a site map to help AI bots find their way around the website.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The bots scanned my lipid panels and Apple Watch heart-rate data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Earlier this month, an A.I. agent created its own platform account and began editing, so I blocked it because we already have a policy against unauthorized bots.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Around us, the security bots have noticed the scuffle and gather instantaneously near the entrance, sealing the tent in.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.