bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈä-nik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

: having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

Did you know?

The science of bionics uses knowledge about how biological systems work to help solve engineering problems. The material Velcro, for example, was inspired by the way burrs behave when they stick to your clothes, and some computer chips are now wired in ways that imitate the "wiring" of the brain and nervous system. But in popular use, the adjective bionic almost always describes artificial limbs or other bodily parts that work as much like real ones as possible. A perfect bionic arm would move and function as easily as a real arm—a goal we're rapidly getting closer to.

Examples of bionic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This iPad runs on the A14 bionic chip, which is super fast and allows for handling multiple apps and tabs at once. —Tim Chan, Variety, 16 July 2024

The participants used a bionic leg with a powered ankle and electrodes that can detect these signals, allowing the technology to respond to commands from the brain. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2024

The iPad Mini is the smallest tablet Apple makes, but the A15 bionic chip ensures its size doesn’t affect its skill. —Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2024

In this study, there were seven people who had the surgery, and then this bionic device used with it. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 4 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

: having the normal biological ability to perform a physical task increased by special devices

Medical Definition

bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

a

: having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

b

: comprising or made up of artificial body parts that enhance or substitute for a natural biological capability

a bionic heart