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

Example Sentences

He wants to shake up its hierarchical culture, expand into robots and flying cars, and build factories in the U.S. faster.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tesla dropped its models S and X in a pivot to robo-taxis and robots.

From Barron's

Tesla dropped its models S and X in a pivot to robo-taxis and robots.

From Barron's

The agile robot dog springs up on all fours, takes a step forward and charges at the tense crowd at a Tokyo exhibit, held back by a simple yet strong metal chain.

From Barron's

The San Francisco Bay-area factory space used for making the Model S and its SUV sibling, the Model X, will be retooled to build humanoid robots, perhaps as many as one million a year.

From The Wall Street Journal