Heath Robinson

British

/ ˈrɒbɪnsən /

adjective

(of a mechanical device) absurdly complicated in design and having a simple function

"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

Etymology

Origin of Heath Robinson

C20: named after William Heath Robinson (1872–1944), British cartoonist

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.

Biden held a large White House bill-signing ceremony and gave the pen to the young daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, who died of cancer and for whom the legislation is named.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 3, 2023

Heath Robinson, who died of lung cancer after serving in Iraq, spent years helping to lead the fight for the new veterans benefits.

From New York Times • Aug. 10, 2022

Army Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, whose name is part of the longer, formal title of the legislation.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2022

The president was joined at the signing ceremony by the surviving wife and daughter of the bill’s namesake, Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson.

From Washington Times • Aug. 10, 2022

"And perhaps Heath Robinson would paint the scenery."

From The Brother of Daphne by Yates, Dornford

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023