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 cyber-¹

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

Origin of cyber-²

Extracted from cybernetics

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyber-¹

C20: back formation from _cybernetics

Example Sentences

That means Australia plans to develop a larger and more lethal navy, an army that can operate better in littoral environments, a better air force, as well as more cyber and space capabilities.

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The force said it received a referral from the Action Fraud cyber crime reporting service on 25 September detailing a ransomware attack.

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"Other thefts are likely unreported and remain unknown as attributing cyber thefts to North Korea is not an exact science."

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Such was the impact of a major cyber attack that hit JLR at the end of August.

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The government has said it is in "daily contact with JLR and cyber experts to listen to concerns and what support can be provided to get production back online."

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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.