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 1

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

Other Words from robot More Example Sentences Learn More About robot

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Examples of robot in a Sentence

The cars are assembled by robots.

Recent Examples on the Web The robot vacuum is wonderfully quiet — the brand compares its noise to the sound of a microwave — and can operate across both hardwood floors and carpet. — Amy Schulman, PEOPLE.com, 8 Oct. 2021 Still others, like the Peloton bike and Samsung’s JetBot robot vacuum, help with specialized tasks. — Ariane Lafolie, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2021 Using a robot vacuum is easily the most convenient way to clean your floors. — Nina Huang, PEOPLE.com, 17 Sep. 2021 The robot vacuum can get stuck and doesn’t learn well from the previous movements. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 9 Sep. 2021 Through algorithms, the robot can see various leaf sizes and detect greenness. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2021 Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, and Fisher Stevens play the humans but this movie is stolen by the robot. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2021 Gita, the $3,200 robot, is owned by AtYourGate, the company that runs the airport delivery app. — Tan Vinh, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2021 Each person at the table can order their own meal, and the robot and the server take care of the rest. — Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, 7 Sep. 2021

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.