pneumatic

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic nu̇-ˈma-tik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
nyu̇-
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

Examples of pneumatic in a Sentence

a movie star who is remembered mainly as a pneumatic sex symbol of the 1950s
Recent Examples on the Web These protocols can look like having providers transport medications and prescriptions between floors by foot, rather than using the hospital’s pneumatic tube system, or having doctors and nurses take notes by hand. Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2024 Pairing our robot with pneumatic muscles allows generating high forces and highly accelerated motions, while benefiting from impact resilience through passive compliance. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pneumatic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pneumatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumatic was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near pneumatic

Cite this Entry

“Pneumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumatic. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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

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

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