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Synonyms

remote control

American  

noun

  • remote controls
    plural
  1. control of the operation or performance of an apparatus from a distance, as the control of a guided missile by radio signals.

  2. Also called remote.  a device used to control the operation of an apparatus or machine, as a television set, from a distance.


remote control British  

noun

  1. control of a system or activity by a person at a different place, usually by means of radio or ultrasonic signals or by electrical signals transmitted by wire

  2. Also:: remote.  a hand-held device that enables remote control of a system or appliance

"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

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Nouns

Etymology

Origin of remote control

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

See Examples For:

"That momentary satisfaction, when you have taken revenge by taking the remote control into your own hands and seen the results of your work with your own eyes."

From Barron's Jun. 10, 2026

This year, rules were “optimized,” according to the Beijing Town website, with entries running either by autonomous navigation or remote control.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 20, 2026

When he said he needed to take remote control of my computer, I knew I was talking to scammers, not PayPal.

From MarketWatch Mar. 25, 2026

The operator drives it by remote control into the back of a van which takes it closer to the frontline to preserve its battery.

From BBC Nov. 23, 2025

He spent most of the evening stabbing at the remote control, trying to find a show that wasn’t too boring or confusing.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

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