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 Day of the Jackal plays his assassin’s prosthetic work with dead-serious hilarity. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024

And, for practical purposes, Skarsgård wore a hefty harness next to his body that came through the tunic and clamped inside of the cloak because of the tremendous weight, heat, and prosthetic makeup. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2024

The prosthetic arm he was given was too difficult to use. —Bridget Grumet, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Nov. 2024

Robert Timothy Smith plays good-hearted Neel (with the aid of facial motion capture, a prosthetic suit and an animatronic puppeteered head), while Ravi Cabot-Conyers (#BlackAF), Ryan Kiera Armstrong (2022’s Firestarter) and Kyriana Kratter (BUNK’D) respectively play Wim, Fern and KB. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 Nov. 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