robot

American  

[roh-bot] / ˈroʊ bɒt /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• robot-like adjective
• robotic adjective
• robotism noun
• robotistic adjective
• robotlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of robot

< 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

Explanation

A robot is a mechanical creation that can move or act on its own. Science fiction is full of robots. Also called droids, Cylons, and bots, robots are certainly the stuff of science fiction stories. But there are plenty of real robots out there in the world, using their mechanical smarts to make life easier. There are robots that can vacuum the rug, dance, perform surgery, clean oil spills, and even build cars. The field of robotics is growing all the time. Maybe someday you'll even have that robot butler so many of us have dreamed about.

Example Sentences

“Superman” fans will soon be able to hang out with the Kryptonian’s favorite robot and his superpowered dog at a new immersive experience in Burbank.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

It’s spending billions to convert its Model S and X capacity into a robot assembly line in Fremont, California.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

As many auto and industrial components are related to current humanoid robot production, China has an upper hand, Lau says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

To demonstrate this concept, the researchers used the four-legged robot 'ANYmal.'

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

For now, though, the deep-sea mining robot kept working, and the poison tide kept flowing.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown