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Est. 1828
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AUTOMATION


NOUN

au· to· ma· tion ˌȯ-tə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce automation (audio)

Synonyms of automationnext
1
: the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate
automatically

2
: the state of being operated automatically

3
: automatically controlled operation of an apparatus, process, or system by
mechanical or electronic devices that take the place of human labor




SYNONYMS

   
 * mechanization
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 * robotization
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 


EXAMPLE SENTENCES

feared that automation would add millions to the ranks of the unemployed

Recent Examples on the Web Smaller organizations have embraced financial
reporting automation faster than larger ones. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Apr.
2023 Marketing-automation platform Klaviyo Inc. plans to list its shares
publicly, according to people familiar with the matter, a sign of life in an
otherwise lackluster IPO market. — Laura Cooper, WSJ, 3 Apr. 2023 There are many
other ways to use automation to benefit your financial health. — The Motley
Fool, Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2023
That said, the company could go a step further and mirror its implementation of
the Double Tap setting, which would open up custom Shortcut options, covering
everything from HomeKit automation tasks to ordering your favorite coffee from
Starbucks. — Gordon Kelly, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023 Increased awareness about the
need to screen, along with improved processes in health systems—like automation
for default one-time testing in electronic medical record systems—will help hit
this target. — Sarah Sloat, Health, 28 Mar. 2023 Autofact ’85 drew about 30,000
people to Detroit, with some 200 vendors exhibiting MAP-compatible and other
kinds of automation products. — James Pelkey, IEEE Spectrum, 27 Mar. 2023 Most
large rail systems across the country already use automation, and Metro
officials say ATO is needed to continue modernizing operations and to lure back
riders after the pandemic. — Justin George, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023
Sanctuary’s founders, Geordie Rose and Suzanne Gilbert, ran Kindred, another
company doing robotic teleoperation that was acquired in 2020 by Ocado, a UK
supermarket firm that uses automation extensively. — WIRED, 23 Mar. 2023
See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to
illustrate current usage of the word 'automation.' Any opinions expressed in the
examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us
feedback about these examples.




WORD HISTORY

Etymology

automatic entry 1

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of automation was in 1912
See more words from the same year


DICTIONARY ENTRIES NEAR AUTOMATION

automatic writing

automation

automatism

See More Nearby Entries 


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KIDS DEFINITION

automation

noun
au· to· ma· tion ˌȯt-ə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce automation (audio)
1
: the method of making a device, a process, or a system operate by itself

2
: automatic operation of a device, process, or system by mechanical or
electronic devices that replace human operators




MORE FROM MERRIAM-WEBSTER ON AUTOMATION

Nglish: Translation of automation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about automation

Last Updated: 7 Apr 2023 - Updated example sentences
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