Word
cyborg
Phoneticscy·borg, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsaɪbɔɹɡ/
UK/sˈaɪbɔːɡ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose body is part human and part machine. This usually means they have electronic or mechanical parts that help them do things better.
n. a person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal human limitations by mechanical elements built into the body. Short for 'cybernetic organism'.
Examples
“The movie features a cyborg with a robotic arm.”
“In many science fiction stories, a cyborg struggles to balance their human emotions with their mechanical logic.”
“As medical technology advances, the line between a patient with a pacemaker and a true cyborg becomes increasingly blurred in philosophical debates about transhumanism.”
Examples
simple
“The movie features a cyborg with a robotic arm.”
contextual
“In many science fiction stories, a cyborg struggles to balance their human emotions with their mechanical logic.”
complex
“As medical technology advances, the line between a patient with a pacemaker and a true cyborg becomes increasingly blurred in philosophical debates about transhumanism.”
Usage
Often used in science fiction contexts; can be used metaphorically for people heavily integrated with technology.
Real-World Examples
“In 2013, Backyard Brains developed the crowdfunded RoboRoach , a DIY kit that enabled users to transform cockroaches from pests into remote-controlled cyborgs, just by performing a bit of (rather gruesome) surgery.” “Freije’s cyborgs touch one another tenderly, offer support, cuddle steel-framed pets.” Etymology
Blend of cybernetic + organism. Coined by Austrian neuroscientist Manfred Clynes in 1960.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cyborg