automation
🇬🇧 /ɔːtəˈmeɪʃən/
🇺🇸 /ɔtəˈmeɪʃən/
📖 Definitions
-
noun
The use of technology, machinery, or control systems to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, typically in manufacturing, industry, or business processes.; The technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic means, such as electronic devices, reducing human effort to a minimum.; The state or condition of being operated or controlled automatically without direct human involvement.; The displacement of human workers by machines or software in the performance of tasks, often discussed in economic and social contexts.; In computing and software, the process of creating scripts or programs that perform repetitive tasks without manual input.
🔗 Details
Word forms
uncountable
Collocations
industrial automationhome automationoffice automationprocess automationautomation technologyautomation systemautomation tools
Derivatives
automateautomaticautomaticallyautomatedautomatonautomatablesemi-automation
Synonyms
mechanizationcomputerizationrobotizationautomatic operation
Antonyms
manual laborhandwork
Commonly confused
automaton
EN: 'Automaton' is a countable noun referring to a self-operating machine or robot; 'automation' is the uncountable concept or process of making things operate automatically.
automatic
EN: 'Automatic' is an adjective (or a noun for a type of firearm/gearbox); 'automation' is the noun for the process or concept.
Spelling tips
EN: Remember the suffix is '-tion' (not '-sion'). Do not confuse with 'automaton,' which has a different ending and meaning.
💬 Examples
-
The factory invested heavily in automation to increase production efficiency and reduce labor costs.
-
Home automation allows residents to control lighting, temperature, and security systems remotely.
-
The transition to full automation of the assembly line took nearly three years to complete.
-
Many economists debate whether automation will lead to widespread unemployment or create new types of jobs.
-
The team used automation scripts to run regression tests every night after code deployment.