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

• stealing
• theft

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

This is the most ridiculous robbery ever, Mirvat thought. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025

The film opens with a nutso racetrack robbery that spills out into the horse race itself, with cars and jockeys and horses flying (and dying) left and right amid the gunfire and chaos. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025

At the time the Nestors were killed, Jones had been out of prison for less than a month after serving time for robbery and burglary, among other crimes. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Only two cases involved people trying to prevent a victim of a robbery from testifying. —Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

Rhymes for robbery

• jobbery
• snobbery

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