Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

cybernetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction cy·ber·net·ics \ ˌsī-bər-ˈne-tiks \

Definition of cybernetics

: the science of communication and control theory that is concerned especially with the comparative study of automatic control systems (such as the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)
—

cybernetic

play \ˌsī-bər-ˈne-tik\ or less commonly cybernetical play \ˌsī-bər-ˈne-ti-kəl\ adjective
—

cybernetically

play \ˌsī-bər-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin and Etymology of cybernetics

Greek kybernētēs pilot, governor (from kybernan to steer, govern) + English -ics

CYBERNETICS Defined for English Language Learners

cybernetics

noun

Definition of cybernetics for English Language Learners

  • : the scientific study of how people, animals, and machines control and communicate information

Medical Dictionary

cybernetics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction cy·ber·net·ics \ ˌsī-bər-ˈnet-iks \

medical Definition of cybernetics

: the science of communication and control theory that is concerned especially with the comparative study of automatic control systems (as the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)
—

cybernetic

play \-ik\ also cybernetical play \-i-kəl\ adjective
—

cybernetically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about cybernetics

  1. See words that rhyme with cybernetics Britannica English: Translation of cybernetics for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cybernetics

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cybernetics? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

imperturbable

play

very hard to disturb or upset

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

cybernetics

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games