animatronics

[ an-uh-muh-tron-iks ]

/ ˌæn ə məˈtrɒn ɪks /

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noun

(used with a singular verb) the technology connected with the use of electronics to animate puppets or other figures, as for motion pictures.

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Origin of animatronics

1975–80; blend of animate and electronics

OTHER WORDS FROM animatronics

an·i·ma·tron·ic, adjective

Words nearby animatronics

animation, animatism, animato, animator, animatronic, animatronics, anime, animism, animis opibusque parati, animistic, animosity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use animatronics in a sentence

What did you think when you saw the actual cat, Binx, with the animatronics?
‘Hocus Pocus’ Turns 20: Meet the Voice Behind Binx the Talking Cat|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They are androids—the brainchild of a neighbor who moved to Stepford from Anaheim, where he designed animatronics at Disneyland.
American Dreams: ‘The Stepford Wives’ by Ira Levin|Nathaniel Rich|August 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Besides, those relied entirely on computer-generated imagery, animatronics, or humans in costumes.
10 Favorite Movie Monkey Scenes|Crystal the Monkey|July 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Tim hustled us backstage, where Lil and I used to sweat over the animatronics and cop surreptitious feels.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow

But what if all of the animatronics had human operators—telecontrollers, working with waldoes?
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow
The maintenance crew had finished all the trim and now they were going after the props and animatronics.
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for animatronics

animatronics

/ (ˌænɪməˈtrɒnɪks) /

noun

(functioning as singular) a branch of film and theatre technology that combines traditional puppetry techniques with electronics to create lifelike animated effects

Word Origin for animatronics

C20: from anima (tion) + (elec) tronics

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