cyborg

American  

[sahy-bawrg] / ˈsaɪ bɔrg /

noun

1. a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.

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cyborg British  

/ ˈsaɪˌbɔːɡ /

noun

1. (in science fiction) a living being whose powers are enhanced by computer implants or mechanical body parts

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Etymology

Origin of cyborg

1960–65; cyb(ernetic) org(anism)

Compare meaning

How does cyborg compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cyborg vs. android

Explanation

An organism that is partly mechanical and partly biological is a cyborg. The Star Wars character Darth Vader is a good example of a cyborg: he's a person whose body has been improved through technology. He's mainly, but not entirely, human. The term cyborg was coined in 1960, from cybernetic and organism, and since then it's mainly been used in fiction and as a theoretical concept. The meaning of this word has changed over time as science fiction ideas (from virtual reality to artificial heart valves) increasingly become real. Some people think that individuals using any kind of internal medical device, from pacemakers to cochlear implants, could technically be classified as cyborgs.

Example Sentences

Others joked that he was a "cyborg" or emulating Hollywood actor Top Cruise in Top Gun, the 1986 movie that made wearing aviators a fashion statement.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Maybe that’s because the cyborg genuinely likes the show.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2025

It follows a private security cyborg, known as a “SecUnit,” who hacks its governing module, allowing it newfound autonomy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

Insects are invertebrates, as are jellyfish and other marine animals like sea sponges and corals that have also been researched for their cyborg potential.

From Salon • May 13, 2025

She found herself in a basement that was an architectural cyborg.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan