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

Prior to these robbery convictions, Portades was convicted of robbery as a minor, as well as drug and weapons charges as an adult. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024

Moore’s lawyers said his original attorneys did not analyze the crime scene carefully and left unchallenged prosecutors’ contention that Moore, who came into the store unarmed, fired at a customer and that his intention from the start was a robbery. —Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Two more robberies were then committed in Dearborn, Michigan, in August and Winchester, Missouri, in September, according to the FBI. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024

Huey pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO act as well as several other counts, including robbery, reduced from armed robbery. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 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