prosthetic

adjective

pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce prosthetic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a prosthesis
a prosthetic limb
prosthetic devices
These researchers will develop ways to connect prostheses more soundly to the bone, coordinate brain signals with prosthetic movement, and create properly rotating artificial joints.Sheela Raman
Similar prevention is recommended if you have leaky, prolapsed, or prosthetic heart valves.Consumer Reports
also : of or relating to prosthetics
prosthetic research
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a nonprotein group of a conjugated protein
covalently-bound prosthetic groups
a heme prosthetic group
prosthetically adverb

Examples of prosthetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At its longest, the transformation process took over three hours, requiring Breckenridge to be outfitted with a prosthetic forehead piece, two cheek pieces, a nose piece, as well as fake eyebrows, a mustache, a beard, and a wig. Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025 Johnson worked closely with Kerr to craft the character from the inside out, and relied on Academy Award-winning prosthetic designer Kazu Hiro to help transform his physical appearance. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025 The film stars Vahid Mubasseri as a mechanic with painful kidney injuries from prison beatings who first follows the distinctive thumping sound of a prosthetic leg that’s etched on his brain and sets the plot in motion. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025 The approach was overseen by Pedro de Diego, one of Spain’s leading prosthetic makeup artists, who designed each effect individually during the screenwriting phase to ensure consistency and cinematic impact. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prosthetic

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosthetic was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Prosthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosthetic. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

prosthetic

adjective
pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce prosthetic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a prosthesis
a prosthetic device
prosthetic limbs
also : of or relating to prosthetics
prosthetic research
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a nonprotein group of a conjugated protein
prosthetically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on prosthetic

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