prosthetic

adjective

pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthe-tik 

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

präs-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of prosthetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The docuseries needed a capable actress that, with 90 minutes of hair and makeup (and one prosthetic tooth), could kind of look like Wuornos. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

After suffering serious injuries in a car accident, lifelong fan Steve Prater asked doctors to create a prosthetic eye dedicated to his favorite team. — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

The authors see uses for SWANS well beyond a rat’s hind legs, from drug delivery to prosthetic limbs. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Prosthetic applications remain years away The team hopes to strengthen the sensor’s electrical output enough to stimulate the nervous system directly, potentially allowing sensory information from a prosthetic limb to reach the brain. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prosthetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic

Medical Definition

prosthetic

adjective

pros·​thet·​ic präs-ˈthet-ik 

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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb