man-made
Americanadjective
-
produced, formed, or made by humans.
-
produced artificially; not resulting from natural processes.
-
Textiles.
-
(of a fiber) manufactured synthetically from a cellulosic or noncellulosic base; produced chemically.
-
(of a fabric or garment) constructed of synthetically made fibers.
-
adjective
Etymology
Origin of man-made
First recorded in 1710–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some man-made canals such as Panama and Suez do charge tolls and fees for specific services.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
Physical capacity across the world is constricted by a variety of chokepoints, some natural like Hormuz, some man-made like tariffs.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
"This is kind of pushing the frontier of science," said Ryan Schultz, a seismologist specialised in man-made earthquakes.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
“It’s groomed out just like man-made snow,” Wilson said.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
Now, for the first time since 1945, the man-made thunder and lightning at nuclear test ranges around the world ceased.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
