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

• larceny
• stealing
• theft
• thievery

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

She’d been arrested on felony and misdemeanor robbery charges and served her three-year sentence at the Catholic reform school instead of at a juvenile detention facility. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024

Davis was charged with murder, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted lewd acts on a child. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024

The robbery was reported about 3 p.m. at the Sally Beauty Supply store at a shopping center at Howe Avenue and Hurley Way, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 23 May 2024

In felony cases such as robbery or murder, HBBA works to make sure that Nigeria’s laws ensuring fair trials are followed. —Ogar Monday, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

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