animatronics

American  

[an-uh-muh-tron-iks] / ˌæn ə məˈtrɒn ɪks /

noun

1. (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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animatronics British  

/ ˌænɪməˈtrɒnɪks /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• animatronic adjective

Etymology

Origin of animatronics

1975–80; blend of animate and electronics

Example Sentences

A disquieting collection of animatronics became fixtures in the director’s life.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

Some of the haunts included higher production value effects — Chambers of the Mausoleum, for instance, featured inventive animatronics from its principal operator, Figment Foundry.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

A mix of store-bought animatronics, handmade props and found objects — vintage lamps, creatures with elongated necks and an assortment of mystical, witchy knickknacks, fill every nook.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

An outside expert in animatronics, who typically works in television and theater, gives them an annual tuneup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

We’ll let them interact with the guests, talk with them, scare them … We’ll get rid of the existing animatronics, replace ’em with full-mobility robots, then cast the parts over the Net.

From Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Doctorow, Cory