robotics
Americannoun
noun
-
the science or technology of designing, building, and using robots
-
another name for robot dancing
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of robotics
Explanation
Robotics is the study of robots, or machines that are designed to do certain jobs. If you're fascinated with robots, you might want to study robotics in college. Robotics, the branch of science that studies the technology and uses of robots, involves various kinds of engineering and computer programming. While a robot is defined as a machine that can be programmed to do a job, many people interested in robotics (especially science fiction fans) think of them as a mechanical replacement for a human. Robotics comes from robot, from the Czech robotiti, "work or drudge."
Vocabulary lists containing robotics
Science Fiction Lingo
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Workshop 5, Part 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Event Vocabulary for October 28–November 3, 2023
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Agility Robotics, a startup that makes humanlike robots used in manufacturing facilities and warehouses, is set to go public in a deal valuing it at about $2.5 billion, its executives told The Wall Street Journal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
A keen student as a child, he won Ghana's 2019 National RiSE Robotics Championship, external aged 13.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Humble Robotics, founded last year in San Francisco, has raised $24 million to develop a cabless freight truck that lacks a steering wheel, gas pedal and driver’s seat.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026
Humble Robotics has not yet applied for a California DMV autonomous vehicle permit and was originally planning testing operations in Texas.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026
Psychologically, his behavior can be studied, for if he is a positronic robot, he must conform to the three Rules of Robotics.
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
![]()
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.