cyber

¹

[sahy-ber]

noun

1. (used alone as a substitute for many compound words that begin with the combining form cyber-, as cyberattack, cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, orcyberwarfare ): Ethical hackers are being recruited for careers in cyber.

   GPS may be vulnerable to jamming and cyber.

   Ethical hackers are being recruited for careers in cyber.

adjective

1. of or relating to computers, typically to one of the technology domains named with the combining form cyber-, as cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, or cyberattack: several cyber breaches; cyber plots.

   a cyber threat;

   several cyber breaches;

   cyber operations;

   cyber plots.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in cybersex.

   People playing the MMO were cybering in voice chat, sometimes without even creating a separate channel to keep it private.

cyber-

²

Digital Technology.

1. a combining form meaning “computer,” “computer network,” or “virtual reality,” used in the formation of compound words (cybertalk; cyberart; cyberspace ) and by extension meaning “expressing visions of the future” (cyberfashion ).

cyber-

combining form

1. indicating computers

   cyberphobia

cyber–

1. A prefix that means “computer” or “computer network,” as in cyberspace, the electronic medium in which online communication takes place.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyber¹

First recorded in 1990–95; from cyber- ( def. )

Origin of cyber²

Extracted from cybernetics

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyber¹

C20: back formation from _cybernetics

Example Sentences

The attackers manipulated Claude into functioning as an autonomous cyber agent, with the AI mapping internal systems, identifying high-value assets, pulling data and summarizing intelligence before human operators made decisions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

China could deploy “economic, legal and cyber levers to throttle Taiwan’s fuel supply and fracture its political will,” according to the report.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Leonardo, in which the Italian government holds a 30.2 percent stake, is known for its helicopters and their electronics, as well as for cyber, security and space products.

Read more on Barron's

We are investing in our existing international relationships, including the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme with NATO, to help us tackle cyber and hybrid threats, and to protect our critical undersea infrastructure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mizuho acknowledged that its checks on the company were limited, but said that they remain favorable, indicating continued success with partners “that have been emphasizing cyber resiliency.”

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• computerized www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

What does cyber- mean?

Cyber- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “computer” or "computer network." In many instances, it is used to refer generally to the internet. It is often used in technical terms, especially in computer science.Cyber- comes from a shortening of the term cybernetics, meaning “the study of communication and control in humans and mechanical systems.” Cybernetics ultimately comes from Greek kybernḗtēs, meaning "helmsman" or "steersman.” Learn more about cybernetics (and how it is related to the word govern) at our entry for the term.