Skip to main content
robot

robot

454 2.6
A machine that people can program to do jobs automatically
  • noun
  • /ˈroʊbɑt/
translation icon : robot
  • The engineer programmed the robot to assist with surgical procedures.
  • modular robots
  • autonomous robots
  • a joystick-driven robot

Yeah, that could be what the robot is faced with doing.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • After those five months of work, Andrew's success at driving the robot showed considerable improvement.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Atlas is a robot that is capable of using human tools.

  • And finally, what about our favorite robot dog, Spot?

  • Well, the problem is that our robot can change its mind.

  • Now you see how fundamental these robots are to our foreign policy.

  • I've learned building a robot is much like making a cake.

  • Disperse and explore: Many small robots cover more territory than a single large one.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The full potential of the swarm concept, with perhaps thousands of robots, is yet to be realized.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A robot vacuum cleaner automatically cleans the floors every day.

  • The factory used a robot to assemble the parts with precision.

Synonyms

android
vsrobot
57 6.8

A machine that looks and acts like a human

is a programmable machine focused on complex actions rather than human likeness
automaton
vsrobot
  • Specialized
4 7.9

A machine that moves on its own and acts like a person or animal

is programmable and performs more complex series of actions automatically
mechanical man
vsrobot
  • Archaic
1 7.5

A machine made to look and act like a person

is a computer‑programmable machine aimed at carrying out complex automatic actions

Compounds

robot bomb
  • Specialized
7.8

A missile with wings and a jet engine that carries explosives to a target without a person on board

robot pilot
  • Specialized
6.2

An automatic machine that controls a ship, plane or spacecraft without a person

How Advanced

android
57 6.8
robot
454 2.6
automaton
  • Specialized
4 7.9
machine
1.0

Surface Forms

robot singular
robots plural

Etymology

The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, which means 'forced work' or 'drudgery'. It was first used in a 1920 play by a Czech writer, and because robota meant heavy work, robot now means a machine that does hard or boring tasks for people.