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Synonyms

robotics

American  
[roh-bot-iks] / roʊˈbɒt ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)
robotics plural
  1. the use of computer-controlled robots to perform manual tasks, especially on an assembly line.


robotics British  
/ rəʊˈbɒtɪks /

noun

  1. the science or technology of designing, building, and using robots

  2. another name for robot dancing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of robotics

1941; robot + -ics; coined by Isaac Asimov

Explanation

Robotics is the study of robots, or machines that are designed to do certain jobs. If you're fascinated with robots, you might want to study robotics in college. Robotics, the branch of science that studies the technology and uses of robots, involves various kinds of engineering and computer programming. While a robot is defined as a machine that can be programmed to do a job, many people interested in robotics (especially science fiction fans) think of them as a mechanical replacement for a human. Robotics comes from robot, from the Czech robotiti, "work or drudge."

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Vocabulary lists containing robotics

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Morgan Stanley Research estimates that by 2050 around 930 million humanoid robots will be working in repetitive, structured tasks, with the global humanoid robotics market potentially reaching $5 trillion.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

Building a more flexible artificial intelligence is a priority for the robotics industry.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

“Through this investment, SKF takes an important step in the robotics industry, with a particular focus on the application of humanoids powered by Embodied AI technology in industrial settings,” SKF said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

South Korea is a memory, electronics, automotive and robotics hub, and Nvidia wants it inside the supply chain, not merely buying chips at the end of it.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

But she is coming because she’s finished with robotics, so she’s going to have to see me.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

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