haptic

American  

[hap-tik] / ˈhæp tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the sense of touch.

   the haptic sensation of holding a real book in your hands.

2. Digital Technology. of or relating to tactile sensations and the sense of touch as a method of interacting with computers and electronic devices.

   smartphones that incorporate haptic feedback;

   haptic technology.

---

noun

1. Digital Technology. Usually haptics

   1. a vibration or other tactile sensation received from a computer or electronic device.

      You can save power by adjusting the haptics and brightness of your phone.

   2. an input or output device that senses the body's movements by means of physical contact with the user.

      joysticks and other haptics.

haptic British  

/ ˈhæptɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or based on the sense of touch

---

Etymology

Origin of haptic

First recorded in 1860–70; from Greek haptikós “able to grasp or perceive,” equivalent to háp(tein) “to grasp, sense, perceive” + -tikos adjective suffix ( -tic )

Example Sentences

To solve the training problem, new startups are using methods such as having people wear cameras and haptic gloves while doing chores at home, according to Rokseth.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

In the meantime, e-tron cars are going to be buck-wild with screens and haptic switches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

The seats use haptic technology, so every bass line and drum kick from the band can be felt from your chair — for those actually sitting and not standing up and dancing.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024

They then take that knowledge and apply in a skills lab, where they practice placing the central line on a novel dynamic haptic robotic trainer that can simulate various conditions and reactions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2024

I couldn’t take too much satisfaction from this, though, because I knew he was probably already kicking one of his underlings out of a haptic chair so he could take control of a new avatar.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline