biomechanics

noun

bio·​me·​chan·​ics ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-niks 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: the mechanics of biological and especially muscular activity (as in locomotion or exercise)

also : the scientific study of this

biomechanical

ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-ni-kəl 

adjective

biomechanically

ˌbī-ō-mə-ˈka-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of biomechanics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This innovative study of animal biomechanics using robots can help researchers better understand how vertebrate locomotion evolved over time. —IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2023

Some of the first vessels were used to ferment alcohol in Western China around 8,000 years ago, says Robert Dudley, a professor of biomechanics and comparative physiology at the University of California, Berkeley. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2022

Nils Tack, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University, studies the biomechanics and fluid dynamics of how these little creatures manage the feat. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2022

Pitching labs, which have become popular technology tools for clubs, focus heavily on biomechanics. —Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

biomechanics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

bio·​me·​chan·​ics -mi-ˈkan-iks 

: the mechanics of biological and especially musculoskeletal activity (as in locomotion or exercise)

also : the scientific study of such mechanics

biomechanic

-mi-ˈkan-ik 

noun

or biomechanist

-ˌmek-ə-nist 

biomechanical

-mi-ˈkan-i-kəl 

adjective

also biomechanic

biomechanically

-mi-ˈkan-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb