remote control

American  

noun

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• remote-control adjective
• remote-controlled adjective

Etymology

Origin of remote control

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

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

"Essentially, we used light as a remote control to program how matter organizes itself at the microscale," said Sacanna.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

They used to spend time playing with remote control cars and helicopters.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Using a simple remote control, you cycle through six heat levels and can set a timer in one-hour increments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

I looked down at the remote control, then back up at the television.

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson