prosthetic

adjective

pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthe-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a prosthesis

a prosthetic limb

prosthetic devices

These researchers will develop ways to connect prostheses more soundly to the bone, coordinate brain signals with prosthetic movement, and create properly rotating artificial joints.

—Sheela Raman

Similar prevention is recommended if you have leaky, prolapsed, or prosthetic heart valves.

—Consumer Reports

also : of or relating to prosthetics

prosthetic research

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a nonprotein group of a conjugated protein

covalently-bound prosthetic groups

a heme prosthetic group

prosthetically

präs-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of prosthetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The prosthetic process was extremely thorough; Alexis Stone scanned Cardi's face, neck, and hands prior to the Gala, then created 18 pieces of prosthetics to be worn on the red carpet, and each prosthetic was painstakingly applied to the star's face and body. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 May 2024

During a recent class at the company’s Tokyo headquarters, Satoko Sasaki, 35, who was seven months pregnant, watched her husband, Yudai, 29, a Sony software engineer, strap on a prosthetic belly simulating the physical sensations of pregnancy. —Kiuko Notoya, New York Times, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

prosthetic

adjective

pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthet-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a prosthesis

a prosthetic device

prosthetic limbs

also : of or relating to prosthetics

prosthetic research

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a nonprotein group of a conjugated protein

prosthetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb