(of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control

an automatic kettle that switches itself off when it boils

calibration is fully automatic

done or occurring spontaneously, without conscious thought or attention

automatic physical functions such as breathing

‘Nice to meet you,’ he said, with automatic politeness

a gun that continues firing until the ammunition is exhausted or the pressure on the trigger is released

the rapid fire of automatics

a vehicle with automatic transmission

a Mercedes 300SL five-speed automatic

a mode of operation in which a particular function of a piece of equipment is performed automatically rather than manually

the majority of users of this type of camera will shoot in automatic