automatic - Definition | Dictionary definition of automatic

Definition of automatic

operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control

"automatic transmission"

"a budget deficit that caused automatic spending cuts"

Synonyms:: mechanical
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices; autoloading, self-loading, semiautomatic
(of firearms) capable of automatic loading and firing continuously; automated, machine-controlled, machine-driven
operated by automation; self-acting, self-activating, self-moving, self-regulating
designed to activate or move or regulate itself; self-locking
locking automatically when closed; self-winding
designed so that manual winding is unnecessary; smart
capable of independent and apparently intelligent action

Antonyms:: manual
requiring human effort; hand-operated, non-automatic
operated by hand; show more antonyms...

resembling the unthinking functioning of a machine

"an automatic `thank you'"

Synonyms:: automatonlike, machinelike, robotic, robotlike; mechanical
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices

without volition or conscious control

"the automatic shrinking of the pupils of the eye in strong light"

Synonyms:: reflex, reflexive; involuntary
controlled by the autonomic nervous system; without conscious control

light machine gun

Types:: assault gun, assault rifle
any of the automatic rifles or semiautomatic rifles with large magazines designed for military use; BAR, Browning automatic rifle
a portable .30 caliber automatic rifle operated by gas pressure and fed by cartridges from a magazine; used by United States troops in World War I and in World War II and in the Korean War

Type of:: automatic firearm, automatic gun, automatic weapon
a firearm that reloads itself and keeps firing until the trigger is released; machine gun
a rapidly firing automatic gun (often mounted)

a pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released

Type of:: automatic firearm, automatic gun, automatic weapon
a firearm that reloads itself and keeps firing until the trigger is released; handgun, pistol, shooting iron, side arm
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand