- to make (a manufacturing process, factory, etc) automatic, or (of a manufacturing process, etc) to be made automatic
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
au•to•mate /ˈɔtəˌmeɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -mat•ed, -mat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to use machines instead of people to do the work of (a mechanical process, etc.); apply the principles of automation to: [~ + object]We need to automate those procedures.[no object]The investors want us to automate.
au•to•mate
(ô′tə māt′),USA pronunciation v., -mat•ed, -mat•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
au′to•mat′a•ble, adj.
v.t.
- to apply the principles of automation to (a mechanical process, industry, office, etc.).
- to operate or control by automation.
- to displace or make obsolete by automation (often fol. by out):The unskilled jobs are going to be automated out.
v.i.
- to install automatic procedures, as for manufacturing or servicing;
follow or utilize the principles of automation:Many banks have begun to automate.
- back formation from automation 1950–55
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
automate /ˈɔːtəˌmeɪt/ vb
'automate' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):