bots

American

[bots] / bɒts /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

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

(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; see -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.

Her search led her to two mental-health-specific bots called Abby and Ash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Users go to AI bots for everything from recipes to life and relationship advice, even forming one-sided platonic or romantic relationships with the ones and zeroes that make up this digital ether behind a screen.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

The first iteration of aibo came out in 1999, followed by numerous models over the years -- from angular metallic-silver bots to more cuddly round-faced versions -- with more than 150,000 units sold.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

Some that pared their human workforces in favor of AI bots have had to rehire fired workers, according to Forrester Research.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 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