au·to·ma·tion

[aw-tuh-mey-shuhn]
noun
1.
the technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum.
2.
a mechanical device, operated electronically, that functions automatically, without continuous input from an operator.
3.
act or process of automating.
4.
the state of being automated.

Origin:
1945–50; autom(atic oper)ation

pro·au·to·ma·tion, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To automation
00:10
Automation is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
automation (ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the use of methods for controlling industrial processes automatically, esp by electronically controlled systems, often reducing manpower
2.  the extent to which a process is so controlled

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

automation
1948, in the manufacturing sense, coined by Ford Motor Co. Vice President Delmar S. Harder, from automatic + -tion. Earlier (1838) was automatism, which meant "quality of being automatic" in the classical sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary

automation definition


Automatic, as opposed to human, operation or control of a process, equipment or a system; or the techniques and equipment used to achieve this. Most often applied to computer (or at least electronic) control of a manufacturing process.
See also design automation, office automation, manularity, Manufacturing Automation Protocol, PEARL, QBE.
(1994-10-21)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © Denis Howe 2010 http://foldoc.org
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Example sentences
To completely avoid automation problems you need to have no automation, or full
  automation.
Hopefully automation can bear the brunt of productivity.
Make migrant work more expensive and there will be more automation applied and
  less migrant workers.
It comes from continuous automation and improvements in productivity.
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