robbery
ROB-uh-ree
/ˈrɒbəri/
The taking of property from a person by using force, violence, or the threat of harm.
Robbery is a 'violent' crime because it involves a direct confrontation with a victim. It is often called 'theft plus force.'
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Germanic 'raub', meaning booty or garments. In ancient times, 'robbing' someone literally meant stripping them of their clothes.
Word relationships
- mugging: An informal term for a robbery that occurs in a public place.
- holdup: An informal term for a robbery involving a weapon.
- gift: Something given willingly without payment.
Commonly confused with
- theft: Theft is stealthy; robbery is forceful.
Word family
- rob (verb): To commit a robbery.
- robber (noun): A person who commits robbery.
Collocations
- armed robbery
- bank robbery
- highway robbery
- attempted robbery
Idioms & expressions
- highway robbery
- daylight robbery
Example sentences
- "The Great Train Robbery of 1963 involved the theft of £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train." Historical Event (BBC History)
- "The victim was unharmed during the robbery, but the suspect escaped with her purse." Crime Report
Memory hook
Rob uses a 'rob' (rod/gun) to take your money. Forceful taking from a person.
When not to use
Do not use robbery for a break-in where no one was home (that is burglary) or for a sneaky theft (that is larceny).
Fun facts
- 'Daylight robbery' is an idiom used for unfair prices, but it originally referred to a 17th-century window tax in England.
- Statistically, most robberies are committed with the threat of a weapon rather than actual physical violence.
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