robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈrä-b(ə-)rē 

plural robberies

: the act or practice of robbing

specifically : larceny from the person or presence of another by violence or threat

Synonyms

• larceny
• stealing
• theft
• thievery

Examples of robbery in a Sentence

a series of armed robberies

They foiled a bank robbery.

He is charged with attempted robbery.

She was arrested for robbery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Subsequently, Simpson was found guilty on 12 charges, including robbery and kidnapping. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

The teen is awaiting trial for a robbery and shooting that left one victim in a wheelchair for months, prosecutors said. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Simpson later spent nine years in prison following a 2008 conviction on robbery and kidnapping charges stemming from a 2007 incident at a Las Vegas hotel over memorabilia Simpson believed was stolen from him. —Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024

At the age of 61, Simpson received a 33-year prison sentence for robbery and kidnapping and received parole in 2017 after serving the minimum nine years. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024

Bartlett’s arrest comes eight months after the rapper was arrested twice in two days on charges of kidnapping, robbery, and assault stemming from two separate incidents in the Los Angeles area in October 2023. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

That counted as kidnapping and, on Oct. 3, 2008, Simpson was convicted of multiple charges including kidnapping, assault, robbery and use of a deadly weapon. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

He was convicted on several charges, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and robbery. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024

The prior largest cash robbery in Los Angeles was on Sept. 12, 1997, with the theft of $18.9 million from the former site of the Dunbar Armored facility on Mateo Street. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

Kids Definition

robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈräb-(ə-)rē 

plural robberies

: the act, practice, or an instance of robbing

Legal Definition

robbery

noun

rob·​bery

plural robberies

: the unlawful taking away of personal property from a person by violence or by threat of violence that causes fear : larceny from the person or immediate presence of another by violence or threat of violence and with intent to steal

— aggravated robbery

: robbery committed with aggravating factors (as use of a weapon, infliction of bodily injury, or use of an accomplice)

— armed robbery

: robbery committed by a person armed with a dangerous or deadly weapon

— simple robbery

: robbery that does not involve any aggravating factors

Etymology

Anglo-French robberie roberie, from Old French, from rober to take something away from a person by force