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automation

automation

33 3.3
Use of machines or computers to do work without people helping
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : automatización
  • The rise of automation in manufacturing has led to faster production times and lower operational expenses.
  • industrial automation
  • factory automation
  • office automation

But again, to your question, yes, automation has replaced jobs.

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Examples

  • But again, to your question, yes, automation has replaced jobs.

  • So in the long run, automation should cause profits to fall.

  • But again, to your question, yes, automation has replaced jobs.

  • Perhaps automation results in safer driving.

  • Printing companies have increased automation, and there has been significant competition with Internet media.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Mitchell is asking, Dan, what is your thought on the future of automation technology?

  • OK, so entrepreneurs have the hardest time with automation because they fear giving up control.

  • We're over-dependent on automation, I can see that now.

  • Yet despite massive mechanization and automation, the U.S. economy kept creating jobs.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Companies have made productivity improvements through automation and quality efficiencies.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

mechanization
vsautomation
4 4.4

Using machines to do work people or animals used to do

emphasizes fully automatic work without human help rather than mere machine use
computerization
vsautomation
  • US
3 4.9

The use of computers to control machines and perform tasks

means automatic action by various machines or technology without human help
robotization
vsautomation
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Replacing human workers with robots or machines that work by themselves

is about using machines to work automatically without stressing worker replacement
cybernation
vsautomation
  • Specialized
8.0

Computers automatically control machines and work instead of people

is broader, covering automatic work by any machines or technology

Antonyms

18 3.3

Work done with your hands or body rather than by machines

How Automated

automation
  • Specialized
33 3.3
manual labor
  • US
18 3.3

Surface Forms

automation singular
automations plural

Morphology

automation = automate (transparent) = automate + ion

Formed by the verb 'automate' plus the productive nominalizing suffix '-ion', giving the process/result meaning.

Etymology

The word automation comes from the Greek prefix auto-, which means 'self', and the same root is in automatic. So automation suggests machines working 'by themselves', which is why it means using machines or computers to do work without human help.