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

Paper lanterns and cotton clouds radiated from the rafters; the walls were festooned with bionic fans, gridded street networks, sewing materials, lightsabers. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025

His designs have been licensed by medical manufacturers, and are widely known as the first-ever natural human gait using his bionic limbs. —Alan Schwarz, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

This brings the cost in line with basic hook prosthetics, making advanced bionic limbs accessible to a much larger population. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025

Each makes a living or exists because of robotics; Morgan designs them—and is secretly dating one—while Jun possesses several bionic implants following a military accident; and Yoyo is their humanoid brother, lost in childhood. —Natalie Zutter january 2, Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bionic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• harmonic
• hedonic

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