pneumatic

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic nu̇-ˈma-tik 

nyu̇-

1

: of, relating to, or using gas (such as air or wind):

a

: moved or worked by air pressure

b(1)

: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air

(2)

: having air-filled cavities

2

: of or relating to the pneuma : spiritual

3

: having a well-proportioned feminine figure

especially : having a full bust

pneumatically

nu̇-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

nyu̇-

adverb

pneumaticity

ˌnü-mə-ˈti-sə-tē 

ˌnyü-

noun

Synonyms

• curvaceous
• curvacious
• curvy
• shapely

Examples of pneumatic in a Sentence

a movie star who is remembered mainly as a pneumatic sex symbol of the 1950s

Recent Examples on the Web

In a 2017 Atlas Obscura article, Michael Waters shared how nightclub patrons in Berlin used pneumatic tubes to send messages to other tables starting in the 1920s. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025

Drafting chairs adjust height by means of a pneumatic or gas cylinder that is controlled with a single lever. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025

The company’s breakthrough removable pneumatic tire was used by Charles Terront to win the world’s first long-distance cycle race in 1891. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

In the prototype, Mercedes-Benz's Formula 1 engineers in Brixworth built pneumatic actuators for a floating cell carrier inside the enclosure. —New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin pneumaticus, from Greek pneumatikos, from pneumat-, pneuma air, breath, spirit, from pnein to breathe — more at sneeze

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing pneumatic

• pneumatic drill

Rhymes for pneumatic

• asthmatic
• chromatic
• climatic
• dogmatic
• dramatic
• ecstatic
• emphatic
• erratic
• eustatic
• fanatic
• hepatic
• lymphatic

Kids Definition

pneumatic

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or using air, wind, or other gas

2

: moved or worked by air pressure

a pneumatic drill

3

: made to hold or be inflated with compressed air

pneumatic tires

pneumatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin pneumaticus "relating to or using air," from Greek pneumatikos (same meaning), from pneumat-, pneuma "air, breath"

Medical Definition

pneumatic

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik 

: of, relating to, or using gas (as air): as

a

: moved or worked by air pressure

b

: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air

c

: having air-filled cavities

pneumatic bone

pneumatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb