robot

American  

[roh-bot] / ˈroʊ bɒt /

noun

1. a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.

2. a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.

3. any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.

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adjective

1. operating automatically.

   a robot train operating between airline terminals.

robot British  

/ ˈrəʊbɒt /

noun

1. any automated machine programmed to perform specific mechanical functions in the manner of a man

2. (modifier) not controlled by man; automatic

   a robot pilot

3. a person who works or behaves like a machine; automaton

4. a set of traffic lights

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robot Scientific  

/ rō′bŏt′ /

1. A machine designed to replace human beings in performing a variety of tasks, either on command or by being programmed in advance.

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Other Word Forms

• robot-like adjective
• robotic adjective
• robotism noun
• robotistic adjective
• robotlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of robot

< Czech, coined by Karel Čapek in the play R.U.R. (1920) from the base robot-, as in robota compulsory labor, robotník peasant owing such labor

Example Sentences

As robots take their usual spotlight at the annual CES gadget fest, insiders caution that making them truly like humans will take several more years and require lots of training.

From Barron's

Physical, in this instance, means moving from AI agents and chatbots that essentially exist on computer screens into objects that interact with the world, such as cars and robots.

From Barron's

Meaningful sales from humanoid robots are likely years away.

From Barron's

What’s Next: Nvidia sees a big opportunity in robots and announced a number of new AI models designed to accelerate the next wave of robotics.

From Barron's

He cited robots and energy storage as reasons to remain invested in shares.

From Barron's