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.

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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

Derived Forms

• remote-control
  adjective
• remote-controlled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• remote controls
  plural

Etymology

Origin of remote control

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

remote control

"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

The companies said radio-frequency sensors offered a common method to detect drones since most are flown within visual range using a radio remote control that communicates via radio frequency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 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

Wielding a remote control that brought up a succession of graphs, she sought to persuade activists - and the voters at home - that "anyone with half a brain can see that won't cut bills".

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2025

His father had bought it at a garage sale, and the remote control was missing, so he had to lean over to change the channel.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai