cyber-

¹ 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 ² 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- 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 cyber-¹

Extracted from cybernetics

Origin of cyber¹

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

Example Sentences

The $125 million deal is the latest in a series of cyber acquisitions aimed at securing AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Swiss insurer and the U.K. cyber insurer agreed in principle on a sweetened 8.0 billion pound offer, having cleared hurdles on price after several rejected bids.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bye-Bye, Baddies: Google has aimed a knockout blow at a massive cyber weapon that researchers say is running silently on millions of devices in the homes of consumers.

From The Wall Street Journal

As AI becomes embedded in the military, intelligence and cyber programs of the state, dependence on foreign systems becomes harder to justify.

From The Wall Street Journal

But she added that autonomous vehicles also had to meet strict safety standards, "including protection from hacking and cyber threats" before they would be allowed on UK roads.

From BBC

Related Words

• computerized