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

Abrams’ name and his Bad Robot production company attached to the teaser trailer for this summer’s “The End of Oak Street.”

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Abrams’ company Bad Robot, one of which will end with a simulated launch.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

In one of many efforts, last year it contracted with Pittsburgh-based Strategy Robot to develop advanced systems that can churn through vast numbers of scenarios despite imperfect information.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Made with wood, springs and rubber bands, Rich Walker remembers fondly the first robotic hand built by Shadow Robot in the late 1990s.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Milton Ashe was the youngest officer of U. S. Robot & Mechanical Men, Inc., and proud of his post.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov