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

Following the robbery, police say Langford ran from the scene, but he was arrested later that day when Lyndon Police responded to a tip. —Caroline Neal, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

Well, police investigating a warehouse robbery recovered thousands of dollars worth of Labubus, the popular toy that has taken the internet by storm, Chino, California, officials said in a news release. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025

The four men were sought in connection to a pharmacy robbery in Maryland Heights, Mo., around 1:15 a.m. that morning. —Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 12 Aug. 2025

Report the robbery to The Watch Register, the police, and to your insurance company immediately. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 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