pneumatic

1 of 2

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic nu̇-ˈma-tik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
nyu̇-
Synonyms of pneumaticnext
1
: of, relating to, or using gas (such as air or wind):
a
: moved or worked by air pressure
b(1)
: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air
(2)
: having air-filled cavities
2
: of or relating to the pneuma : spiritual
3
: having a well-proportioned feminine figure
especially : having a full bust
pneumatically adverb
pneumaticity noun

pneumaticity

2 of 2

noun

pneu·​ma·​tic·​i·​ty ˌn(y)üməˈtisətē How to pronounce pneumaticity (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being pneumatic
specifically : a condition marked by the presence of air cavities

Examples of pneumatic in a Sentence

Adjective a movie star who is remembered mainly as a pneumatic sex symbol of the 1950s
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Its earliest iteration can be traced back to the 1870s, when Scottish inventor John Boyd Dunlop—best known for patenting the pneumatic tire—made good on his familiarity with rubber to design a low-top canvas shoe with a vulcanized rubber sole. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 15 June 2026 Although there have been recent developments in soft robotics that use heat, most soft robots rely on hydraulic and pneumatic systems to move fluid through their artificial muscles and actuators. New Atlas, 12 June 2026 Underneath their colorful cartoon animal exteriors, the animatronics are a skeleton of metal and pneumatic tubes. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 The next day she is shipped off to her first job, also within the confines of this impossibly vast building, which involves shoving film canisters down a pneumatic tube. Literary Hub, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pneumatic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin pneumaticus, from Greek pneumatikos, from pneumat-, pneuma air, breath, spirit, from pnein to breathe — more at sneeze

First Known Use

Adjective

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumatic was in 1624

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pneumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumatic. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

pneumatic

adjective
pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or using air, wind, or other gas
2
: moved or worked by air pressure
a pneumatic drill
3
: made to hold or be inflated with compressed air
pneumatic tires
pneumatically adverb
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin pneumaticus "relating to or using air," from Greek pneumatikos (same meaning), from pneumat-, pneuma "air, breath"

Medical Definition

pneumatic

adjective
pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
: of, relating to, or using gas (as air): as
a
: moved or worked by air pressure
b
: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air
c
: having air-filled cavities
pneumatic bone
pneumatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pneumatic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster