auto

¹ American  

[aw-toh] / ˈɔ toʊ /

noun

plural

autos

1. automobile.

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adjective

1. of or relating to automobiles.

   an auto salesman; auto detailing.

auto- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “self,” “same,” “spontaneous,” used in the formation of compound words.

   autograph, autodidact.

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auto- ³ American  

1. a combining form representing automobile in compound words.

   autocade.

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auto- ⁴ American  

1. a combining form representing automatic in compound words: autoalarm; autofeed; autofocus . Sometimes also taken as an adjective.

   auto enlarger; auto stop control; auto dialer.

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auto. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. automatic.

2. automobile.

3. automotive.

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auto ¹ British  

/ ˈɔːtəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for automobile

   2. ( as modifier )

      auto parts

2. informal short for autorickshaw

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auto- ² British  

combining form

1. self; same; of or by the same one

   autobiography

2. acting from or occurring within; self-caused

   autohypnosis

3. self-propelling; automatic

   automobile

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Etymology

Origin of auto¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of auto-²

< Greek, combining form of autós self

Origin of auto-³

auto

Example Sentences

Last week, auto giant BMW unveiled a pilot project to deploy two AI-powered humanoid robots in a German factory this year to help in the production process.

From Barron's

Automakers broadly recorded a sharp drop in sales in February as demand in the world’s largest auto industry waned during the Lunar New Year month.

From The Wall Street Journal

The works council, an elected body of employees that negotiates pay deals and working hours with management, has long been an unshakeable component of German corporate life, especially in the auto sector.

From Barron's

Chinese automakers broadly recorded a sharp drop in sales in February as demand in the world’s largest auto industry waned during the Lunar New Year month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sentiment about the private-credit industry began shifting last year when allegations of credit fraud surfaced in the collapse of two auto companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• car
• passenger car
• vehicle