bionics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “bionics” mean?
The study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms.
The application of biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is used identically in technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in engineering, robotics, and biomedical fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bionics” in a Sentence
The study of bionicsResearch in bionicsAdvances in bionicsApplications of bionicsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bionics” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The bionic arm allowed him to grip objects precisely.
- They are developing bionic materials for construction.
American English
- The bionic limb responded to neural signals.
- Bionic design principles were used in the robot's locomotion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in venture capital or R&D contexts discussing innovative tech startups.
Academic
Common in engineering, robotics, biomedical engineering, and materials science departments.
Everyday
Very rare; might appear in popular science articles or documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in fields like prosthetics, robotics, and materials engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bionics”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bionics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bionics”
- Using 'bionic' as a standalone noun (it's an adjective). 'Bionics' is typically treated as a singular uncountable noun (e.g., 'Bionics is fascinating').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Cybernetics is broader, focusing on control and communication in animals and machines. Bionics is more specific, focusing on applying biological designs to engineering.
Yes, informally. A person with a high-tech prosthetic limb might be called 'bionic', but technically the limb is the bionic device.
The term was coined in the 1950s, but the concept of learning from nature is ancient. It has grown rapidly with advances in materials science and robotics.
Velcro is a classic example, inspired by the way burrs stick to animal fur. Modern examples include shark-skin inspired swimsuits and lotus-leaf inspired self-cleaning surfaces.
The study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms.
Bionics is usually technical/academic in register.
Bionics: in British English it is pronounced /baɪˈɒn.ɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /baɪˈɑː.nɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BIOlogy + electroNICS = BIONICS – using biology to inspire electronic/mechanical design.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE AS ENGINEER: Viewing biological systems as perfected designs to be copied by human technology.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of bionics?