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

Lee’s recollection suggests the attack could have been related to a robbery. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

Houston police have released a series of bodycam videos showing officers respond to an active home invasion robbery when one of the suspects ambushed them with gunfire in front of a mother and her children. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2024

Prosecutors say Stallworth was previously convicted of robbery in 2023 and not allowed to own a gun. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2024

At a site now known as Barranco Gómez in eastern Spain, an artist depicted a sophisticated robbery using ocher on a cave wall. —Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 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