biomimicry

noun

bio·​mim·​ic·​ry ¦bī-(ˌ)ō-¦mi-mi-krē 

: the imitation of natural biological designs or processes in engineering or invention : biomimetics

In 1948, while walking in the woods, Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral noticed how cockleburs stuck to his dog's coat. The result? Velcro: a paragon of biomimicry in practice.

—Andy Isaacson, National Geographic Adventure, December 2007

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

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