robot

noun

ro·bot | \ ˈrō-ˌbät

, -bət\

plural robots

Definition of robot

1 : a machine that resembles a living creature in being capable of moving independently (as by walking or rolling on wheels) and performing complex actions (such as grasping and moving objects) When the next space launch heads for Mars, on board will be dozens of tiny mobile robots that will fan out across the Martian landscape, exploring every nook and cranny.— Michael Bowker often : such a machine built to resemble a human being or animal in appearance and behavior While science fiction robots have been capable of independent thought, emotions, even a little cooking and sewing, scientists are finding that endowing a mechanical being with even the most basic human functions is a monumental challenge. — Greg Freiherr As a sign of the times, paleontologists themselves have taken to … designing dinosaur robots and displays … — Malcolm W. Browne —often used before another noun a robot dog a robot servant — compare android, bot entry 3

2a : a device that automatically performs complicated, often repetitive tasks (as in an industrial assembly line) the use of robots in car manufacturing … factories run by robots producing many replicas of one product.— Morris Philipson —often used before another noun For fluid applications, especially in the automotive industry, the robot arm must have extremely flexible movement.— Harry H. Poole

b : a mechanism guided by automatic controls a robot airplane

3 : a person who resembles a machine in seeming to function automatically or in lacking normal feelings or emotions … seems to believe that professors are robots, students are superficial, grade-hungry receptacles …— Micaela Rubalcava

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Examples of robot in a Sentence

The cars are assembled by robots.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students in grades 6 to 12 may have free play and mini challenges using Lego Mindstroms robots from 7 to 8 p.m. July 17. — cleveland.com, "Vintage MarketPlace attracts visitors from afar: Olmsted Dates and Data," 6 July 2019 Its contemplation of the future is often a commentary on the present: many sci-fi authors take current concerns, from robots to climate chaos to gender politics, to the logical extremes and consider their implications. — The Economist, "Why it's worth reading crazy-sounding scenarios about the future," 6 July 2019 Look through a telescope, check out robots from IndianaFIRST, explore the differences of living on Earth versus space and more. — Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star, "9 best things to do with kids in Indianapolis in July," 3 July 2019 The permit brings the Alphabet company one step closer to launching a robot taxi service in its home state. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Waymo gets green light in California to pick up passengers in self-driving cars," 3 July 2019 The film's characters included Jinx, a robot sidekick for Phoenix's character, Max. — Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al.com, "Secrets of the ’80s ‘SpaceCamp’ movie, revealed," 3 July 2019 Kristin imagines duck-sized robots going inside the tomb, taking 3-D scans and showing us what’s inside. — National Geographic, "Episode 4: Scuba diving in a pyramid," 2 July 2019 Unlike some Amazon operations, there are no miniature robots rolling around the warehouse floor. — Mike Glenn, Houston Chronicle, "‘Pickers’ and ‘Stowers’ keep things moving at Katy-area Amazon Center," 1 July 2019 The students built robots and piloted them through an obstacle course, and designed prototypes to pick up trash. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Escondido schools offer math, science, coding camps," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'robot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.