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 company has focused on non-invasive BCIs and prosthetic technologies. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Under the rules of the amputee cup, a seven-a-side soccer tournament, all prosthetic limbs must be removed before the game kicks off. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

The first trailer debuted earlier this week, revealing an unrecognizable look at the actor beneath heavy prosthetic makeup. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

The series is replete with a baffling array of alien races, almost all of which are basically humans with varying levels of prosthetic facial makeup or zany outfits. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 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