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

This song exists for one reason only: so Gaga could open the Born This Way Ball by coming out on a bionic unicorn. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

The family started lemonade stands to raise the money for the bionic arm. —David Begnaud, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025

Launched by a mom named Sarah Lockey whose own daughter faced physical challenges, the campaign helps families of children with missing limbs fundraise for bionic arms, news agency SWNS reported. —Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024

But robotic prostheses that use microprocessors, like Herr’s bionic ankle, still cost more than thirty thousand dollars and remain unusual. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

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