Automat - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An automat is a self-service restaurant or vending machine where customers can select and purchase food or drinks without staff assistance. It was popular in the early 20th century.
Definition:
A machine that performs tasks automatically, often dispensing items like food or drinks.
Synonyms:
vending machine, robot, self-service machine
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
manual labor, human-operated
Common Collocations:
coffee automat, snack automat, ticket automat
Derivatives:
automation, automate, automatic
Usage Tips:
Use "automat" to describe self-service machines, especially those dispensing food or drinks in public places.
Common Phrases:
"automat restaurant, " "coin-operated automat, " "24-hour automat"
Etymology:
Derived from Greek "automatos," meaning "acting of itself," via German "Automat."
Examples:
- 1. The automat served fresh coffee with just a coin insert.
- 2. She bought a sandwich from the automat at the train station.
- 3. Old-fashioned automats were popular in mid-20th century America.
- 4. The ticket automat malfunctioned, so we queued at the counter.