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• cyber
  cyber

  noun

  (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.
• cyber-
  cyber-

  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–
  cyber–

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

cyber

¹ American  

[sahy-ber] / ˈsaɪ bər /

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.

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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 American  

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 ).

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cyber- British  

combining form

1. indicating computers

   cyberphobia

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cyber– Scientific  

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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of cyber¹

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

Origin of cyber-²

Extracted from cybernetics

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cyber cyber- cyber–

It described broad areas of coverage, such as cyber and media liability and event cancellation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Marsh CEO John Doyle on navigating global risk, cyber threats and AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

The tech giant OpenAI will share its AI cyber defence system Daybreak for free with the Ukraine government to help it protect civilian infrastructure, like hospitals and power plants, from cyber-attacks.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Recently, around 100 US companies signed an open letter warning governments and institutions around the world that "the window is closing" to ensure cyber defences are robust enough to withstand AI-enabled cyber attacks.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

This tenet includes the physical and cyber protection of the United States, its populace, property, and interests, as well as the protection of its democratic principles.

From National Strategy for Combating Terrorism February 2003 by United States. Executive Office of the President

The United States, meanwhile, has watched its room for maneuver in the region steadily shrink, hemmed in by Russian antiaircraft systems and cyber- and electronic warfare threats.

From New York Times ● Feb. 25, 2022

In a similar vein, journalists are advised to use the prefix cyber- and the terms cyberspace and cyber sparingly, and instead substitute words like internet or digital.

From Slate ● May 28, 2020

Russia and the United States have a lot to talk about, on such topics as arms control, cyber- intrusions, Ukraine, Syria and beyond.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 1, 2018

The two sides also said they would set up a high-level joint dialogue on cybercrime in which officials from both countries would be able to investigate and review allegations of cyber- intrusions.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2015

“Patrick’s mom made him erase his account, and then she made him watch a documentary with her about cyber- bullying,” Em said, her breath billowing white in the cold air and then disappearing.

From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead

MELBER: And another area that’s evolving in that same way is cyber– both domestic crime and also– international threats– that we’re all tryin’ to struggle to understand. 

From MSNBC ● Feb. 12, 2015

Related Words

• computerized