animatronics

[an-uh-muh-tron-iks]

noun

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

Origin of animatronics

1975–80; blend of animate and electronics

Related formsan·i·ma·tron·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for animatronics

Contemporary Examples of animatronics

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
Besides, those relied entirely on computer-generated imagery, animatronics, or humans in costumes.
10 Favorite Movie Monkey Scenes
Crystal the Monkey
July 6, 2011

Historical Examples of animatronics

The maintenance crew had finished all the trim and now they were going after the props and animatronics.
Makers
Cory Doctorow
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

British Dictionary definitions for animatronics

animatronics

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