remote control

American  

noun

1. control of the operation or performance of an apparatus from a distance, as the control of a guided missile by radio signals.

2. Also called remote.  a device used to control the operation of an apparatus or machine, as a television set, from a distance.

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remote control British  

noun

1. control of a system or activity by a person at a different place, usually by means of radio or ultrasonic signals or by electrical signals transmitted by wire

2. Also:: remote.  a hand-held device that enables remote control of a system or appliance

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Other Word Forms

• remote-control adjective
• remote-controlled adjective

Etymology

Origin of remote control

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

When he said he needed to take remote control of my computer, I knew I was talking to scammers, not PayPal.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

"Essentially, we used light as a remote control to program how matter organizes itself at the microscale," said Sacanna.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

They used to spend time playing with remote control cars and helicopters.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Using a simple remote control, you cycle through six heat levels and can set a timer in one-hour increments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

At five o’clock Mom reached for the remote control to turn on the news, but there was no picture on the television screen—only ripples and fuzz.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen