pneumatic

adjective

pneu·​mat·​ic nu̇-ˈma-tik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
nyu̇-
1
: of, relating to, or using gas (such as air or wind):
a
: moved or worked by air pressure
b(1)
: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air
(2)
: having air-filled cavities
2
: of or relating to the pneuma : spiritual
3
: having a well-proportioned feminine figure
especially : having a full bust
pneumatically adverb
pneumaticity noun

Examples of pneumatic in a Sentence

a movie star who is remembered mainly as a pneumatic sex symbol of the 1950s
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It was first conceived in 1957 by Pennsylvania's C. Walton Musser, a wonderfully creative inventor with patents on everything from power steering systems, recoilless rifles and pneumatic life jacket inflators, through to many key ideas underpinning jet aircraft ejection seats. New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024 The hard rubber tires are not pneumatic, but when ridden, deliver a modicum of cushion and a lot of grip. William Roberson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 The first involved hitting them with a pneumatic ram at speeds and points of impact that were determined in part through video review of concussion-causing plays among linemen during past NFL games. Alex Prewitt, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024 So instead of metal, gears, and clockwork sounds, Thom landed on a lot of pneumatic sounds and non-descript surfaces to convey her physicality. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pneumatic 

Word History

Etymology

Latin pneumaticus, from Greek pneumatikos, from pneumat-, pneuma air, breath, spirit, from pnein to breathe — more at sneeze

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumatic was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near pneumatic

Cite this Entry

“Pneumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumatic. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pneumatic

adjective
pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or using air, wind, or other gas
2
: moved or worked by air pressure
a pneumatic drill
3
: made to hold or be inflated with compressed air
pneumatic tires
pneumatically adverb
Etymology

from Latin pneumaticus "relating to or using air," from Greek pneumatikos (same meaning), from pneumat-, pneuma "air, breath"

Medical Definition

pneumatic

adjective
pneu·​mat·​ic n(y)u̇-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce pneumatic (audio)
: of, relating to, or using gas (as air): as
a
: moved or worked by air pressure
b
: adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air
c
: having air-filled cavities
pneumatic bone
pneumatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pneumatic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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