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 flash-forward also features Lori Loughlin as an elderly version of her character, Becky, complete with an exaggeratedly wide prosthetic derriere. —John Russell, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Thanks to Stan Winston’s work, the visual effects in Ghosts including prosthetic makeup, CGI skeleton, dust crumbling, possession effects and ghoul transformations — still deliver an impressive performance despite advances in modern technology. —Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Sometimes, this calls for prosthetic builds, which are done at a special effects makeup shop and applied on set. —Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2024

The prosthetic detail on Klum's face and hands was simply terrifying. —Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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