robot

[ roh-buh t, -bot ]
/ ˈroʊ bət, -bɒt /

noun

a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.
a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.
any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.

adjective

operating automatically: a robot train operating between airline terminals.

Origin of robot

< Czech, coined by Karel Čapek in the play R.U.R. (1920) from the base robot-, as in robota compulsory labor, robotník peasant owing such labor

OTHER WORDS FROM robot

ro·bot·ism, noun ro·bot·ic, ro·bot·is·tic [roh-buh-tis-tik, -bo-] /ˌroʊ bəˈtɪs tɪk, -bɒ-/, adjective ro·bot·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for robotic

British Dictionary definitions for robotic

robot
/ (ˈrəʊbɒt) /

noun

any automated machine programmed to perform specific mechanical functions in the manner of a man
(modifier) not controlled by man; automatic a robot pilot
a person who works or behaves like a machine; automaton
Southern African a set of traffic lights

Derived forms of robot

robotic, adjective robotism or robotry, noun robot-like, adjective

Word Origin for robot

C20: (used in R.U.R., a play by Karel Čapek) from Czech robota work; related to Old Slavonic rabota servitude, German Arbeit work

Medical definitions for robotic (1 of 2)

robotic
[ rō-bŏtĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, characteristic of, or employing robots.

Medical definitions for robotic (2 of 2)

robot
[ rōbŏt′ ]

n.

A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance.
A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control.
A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others.

Scientific definitions for robotic

robot
[ rōbŏt′ ]

A machine designed to replace human beings in performing a variety of tasks, either on command or by being programmed in advance.