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

Today, Ali is a Paralympic athlete with a foundation that just donated its first prosthetic limb to a young girl in need. —Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

The little girl whimpers as my prosthetic eye blinks, adjusts and trains on her like the scope of a rifle. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025

These have already been successfully used to help patients control prosthetic limbs and even play video games. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025

Bell-Johnson uses a prosthetic limb after losing his leg as a child in a train accident. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025

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