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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.

See Examples For:

Whereas most American robotics companies only show their products in obsessively stage-managed demos, at an Ultimate Bots fight, “failure is the show,” Bulatov says.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

The World Humanoid Games, held in late August in Beijing, were meant to demonstrate the supremacy of China’s robotics industry.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

Joseph Quinlivan, Amazon’s vice president of fulfillment technology and robotics, said when Proteus was rolled out, workers expressed hesitancy around the robots.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Student Emma, 12, says she uses AI for her robotics projects, as well as proof-reading her English homework, and believes more students should be taught how to use it responsibly.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

“My best friend Zoey’s in a robotics club,” I say.

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

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