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

Garrido lives in Ozone Park, about four miles from where the robbery took place. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024

According to police, the woman claimed that the man bound her hands and used a pair of scissors to threaten her during the robbery. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Dec. 2024

He was arrested in connection with the robbery around the same time as Durbin. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2024

The governor noted that co-defendants involved in the robberies received less severe punishments. —Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 20 Dec. 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