robot

[roh-bot]

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.

adjective

1. operating automatically.

   a robot train operating between airline terminals.

robot

/ 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

robot

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of robot¹

< 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of robot¹

C20: (used in R.U.R. , a play by Karel _Čapek ) from Czech robota work; related to Old Slavonic rabota servitude, German Arbeit work

Example Sentences

At a high level, they are both playing in all of the same sci-fi futures made popular when they were young: space, robots, EVs; and, more and more, aiming for powerful AI.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is where the robot, also known as a land drone, comes in place of traditional troop deployments.

Read more on BBC

Musk argued that AI-powered robots, including Tesla’s Optimus prototype, will eventually handle “all the work that needs to be done,” leaving humans to focus only on hobbies or creative pursuits.

Read more on Salon

AI-enabled robots might one day be programmed to work on cars, but Hannah says mechanics develop a feel for the vibrations and sounds associated with certain problems—something a robot couldn’t do.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tesla, for its part, has become an AI stock, with investors believing AI-trained robots and cars will drive explosive growth in the coming years.

Read more on Barron's