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

Explanation

A robot is a mechanical creation that can move or act on its own. Science fiction is full of robots. Also called droids, Cylons, and bots, robots are certainly the stuff of science fiction stories. But there are plenty of real robots out there in the world, using their mechanical smarts to make life easier. There are robots that can vacuum the rug, dance, perform surgery, clean oil spills, and even build cars. The field of robotics is growing all the time. Maybe someday you'll even have that robot butler so many of us have dreamed about.

Example Sentences

It has also intensified the debate about the future of warfare and its implications for soldiers, robot as well as human.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The battlefield in Ukraine could soon feature more robot than human soldiers - that is the startling claim made by a Ukrainian-British military start-up.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Some council members defended the robots, calling the ban a “knee-jerk reaction” as robot fleets have the potential to reduce road congestion and delivery costs, and present a chance to generate revenue from bot licenses.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

The inventor behind the world-famous robot vacuum is now designing robots that form an emotional bond with their owners.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The giant robot pelican suit spun in the air.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness