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

Major League Baseball introduced its automated ball-strike challenge system about six weeks ago and, already, there is one undeniable truth about the game’s new electronic overlords: The robot umpires have it in for pitchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Guests can book robot massages for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes or an hour for $1 a minute, making it more affordable than Wi Spa’s manual massage offerings.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Training a robot on the intricate timing of initiating interaction with a new person is an “enormously hard” problem, says Pope.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

He reached one of the giant robot pelican suit’s giant robot pelican feet and kicked it, injuring his own toes.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness