biomechanics

1 of 2

noun

bio·​me·​chan·​ics ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-niks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: the mechanics of biological and especially muscular activity (as in locomotion or exercise)

also : the scientific study of this

biomechanical

ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-ni-kəl 

adjective

biomechanically

ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

biomechanical

2 of 2

adjective

bio·​me·​chan·​i·​cal ¦bī-(ˌ)ō-mə-¦ka-ni-kəl 

variants or less commonly biomechanic

¦bī-(ˌ)ō-mə-¦ka-nik 

: of, relating to, or involving biomechanics

It's reasonable to think that if you engage the intrinsic small muscles of the feet to work, which barefoot running does, it might afford biomechanic benefits, says Dr. Anthony Margherita, medical director at West County Spine & Sports Medicine.

—Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), 29 Dec. 2011

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany, have combined snail neurons and microchips in the first biomechanical connection between a network of living brain cells and a silicon chip.

—Stephen Totilo, Psychology Today, January/February 2002

biomechanically

¦bī-(ˌ)ō-mə-¦ka-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

… cyclists in a biomechanically correct position can ride at a lower heart rate for a given effort.

—Brian Fiske, Bicycling, October 2005

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

bi- entry 2 + mechanical

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for biomechanics

• hispanics
• mechanics
• organics
• volcanics
• panics

Medical Definition

biomechanics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

bio·​me·​chan·​ics -mi-ˈkan-iks 

: the mechanics of biological and especially musculoskeletal activity (as in locomotion or exercise)

also : the scientific study of such mechanics

biomechanic

-mi-ˈkan-ik 

noun

or biomechanist

-ˌmek-ə-nist 

biomechanical

-mi-ˈkan-i-kəl 

adjective

also biomechanic

biomechanically

-mi-ˈkan-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb