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

Also Thursday, Oklahoma conducted that state's first execution of the year, putting to death an Arkansan for a random home-invasion robbery that left a woman dead. —arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025

His previous felony convictions for robbery and carjacking prohibited him from possessing firearms. —Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025

Hundreds of thousands of people have returned to their homes in Central Sudan, though late on Wednesday activists in Omdurman warned that some soldiers have engaged in robbery. —Reuters, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025

Anaheim resident Thomas Crampton was booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of robbery in connection with a robbery of the Chase bank branch in the 800 block of Pacific Coast Highway, near Main Street, according to the Seal Beach Police Department. —City News Service, Orange County Register, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

Rhymes for robbery

• jobbery
• snobbery

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