1. [n]  a highly technical implementation for the control of equipment; usually involving electronic hardware; "automation replaces human workers by machines"
2. [n]  equipment used to achieve automatic control or operation; "this factory floor is a showcase for automation and robotic equipment"
3. [n]  the condition of being automatically operated or controlled; "automation increases productivity"

AUTOMATION is a 10 letter word that starts with A.

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.