bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈä-nik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

: having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

Did you know?

The science of bionics uses knowledge about how biological systems work to help solve engineering problems. The material Velcro, for example, was inspired by the way burrs behave when they stick to your clothes, and some computer chips are now wired in ways that imitate the "wiring" of the brain and nervous system. But in popular use, the adjective bionic almost always describes artificial limbs or other bodily parts that work as much like real ones as possible. A perfect bionic arm would move and function as easily as a real arm—a goal we're rapidly getting closer to.

Examples of bionic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the team, a major challenge is that most commercial bionic hands lack the sense of touch that allows humans to grip intuitively. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025

The latest Iron uses a humanoid spine with bionic muscles and flexible skin. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Dec. 2025

That’s all us, and a group of incredible stunt actors that make our characters feel bionic. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 2 Dec. 2025

The new Iron has a humanoid spine, bionic muscles and fully covered flexible skin (when it hasn't been sliced up with scissors). —New Atlas, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bionic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• harmonic
• hedonic

Kids Definition

bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

: having the normal biological ability to perform a physical task increased by special devices

Medical Definition

bionic

adjective

bi·​on·​ic bī-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to bionics

2

a

: having normal biological capability or performance enhanced by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

b

: comprising or made up of artificial body parts that enhance or substitute for a natural biological capability

a bionic heart