robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈrä-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce robbery (audio)
plural robberies
: the act or practice of robbing
specifically : larceny from the person or presence of another by violence or threat

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Friday when the two officers from LAPD’s Southeast Division responded to a report of a robbery in the 9200 block of Central Avenue, according to police. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Moore's lawyers said his original attorneys did not analyze the crime scene carefully and left unchallenged prosecutors' contention that Moore, who came into the store unarmed, fired at a customer and that his intention from the start was a robbery. Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024 The first robbery was committed at gunpoint in Bridgeview, Illinois, in July 2023. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024 What happens during a typical lethal injection of an inmate Moore was convicted of killing a White convenience store clerk, James Mahoney, during a 1999 robbery. Andy Rose, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for robbery 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of robbery was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near robbery

Cite this Entry

“Robbery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robbery. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

robbery

noun
rob·​bery ˈräb-(ə-)rē How to pronounce robbery (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on robbery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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