touchless

American  

[tuhch-lis] / ˈtʌtʃ lɪs /

adjective

1. relating to or noting a device that begins to operate when it senses a person’s motion or presence, without needing to be touched.

   Put your pot or your hands under the touchless faucet and the water will turn on.

2. contactless.

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touchless British  

/ ˈtʌtʃlɪs /

adjective

1. describing an electronic device which can be controlled by gesture or sound and does not require the user to touch a keypad, screen, etc

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Etymology

Origin of touchless

First recorded in 1610–20 in the sense “having no sense of touch,” and in 1925–30 for current senses; touch ( def. ) + -less ( def. )

Example Sentences

Jobs become scarcer every year as car wash owners invest in touchless technologies — “We’ve been way ahead on how automation destroys jobs,” Melendrez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

But most on their crew were new, and many of them started out in hospitality at a time when service meant touchless ordering, policing face masks and staying as far from customers as possible.

From New York Times • May 30, 2023

A: A touchless faucet is a great addition to any kitchen, especially if you do a lot of hands-on food preparation and you want to keep the faucet a little cleaner.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2022

Every New York subway station offers touchless card readers, allowing riders to tap their phone or credit card to an electronic reader.

From Washington Post • Jun. 18, 2022

But of course our touchless man would be devoid of any notion of resistance; and hence space, for him, would be altogether geometrical and devoid of body.

From Critiques and Addresses by Huxley, Thomas Henry