pneumatic

American  

[noo-mat-ik, nyoo-] / nʊˈmæt ɪk, nyʊ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to air, gases, or wind.

2. of or relating to pneumatics.

3. operated by air or by the pressure or exhaustion of air.

   a pneumatic drill.

4. filled with or containing compressed air, as a tire.

5. equipped with pneumatic tires.

6. Theology. of or relating to the spirit; spiritual.

7. Zoology. containing air or air cavities.

---

noun

1. a pneumatic tire.

2. a vehicle having wheels with such tires.

pneumatic British  

/ njʊˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of or concerned with air, gases, or wind Compare hydraulic

2. (of a machine or device) operated by compressed air or by a vacuum

   a pneumatic drill

   pneumatic brakes

3. containing compressed air

   a pneumatic tyre

4. of or concerned with pneumatics

5. theol

   1. of or relating to the soul or spirit

   2. of or relating to the Holy Ghost or other spiritual beings

6. (of the bones of birds) containing air spaces which reduce their weight as an adaptation to flying

7. informal (of a woman) well rounded, esp with a large bosom

---

noun

1. short for pneumatic tyre

pneumatic Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-măt′ĭk /

1. Relating to gases, especially air.

2. Filled with or operated by compressed air. Pneumatic machines often involve the transmission of force through air pressure in pipes or tubes.

3. See also hydraulic

---

Usage

What does pneumatic mean? Pneumatic means filled with or operated by compressed air.In general, pneumatic means related to air or wind, and pneumatics is the branch of physics that deals with the properties of air. But the adjective pneumatic is most commonly applied to machines that work by using compressed air or a vacuum, like pneumatic brakes or a pneumatic drill (also called a jackhammer).Example: The bank uses a pneumatic tube so you can deposit your checks without going in.

Other Word Forms

• nonpneumatic adjective
• nonpneumatically adverb
• pneumatically adverb
• pneumaticity noun
• semipneumatic adjective
• unpneumatic adjective
• unpneumatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of pneumatic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin pneumaticus “pertaining to air; powered by wind or air,” from Greek pneumatikós “pertaining to air, breath or wind; powered by wind or air; spiritual,” equivalent to pneumat- (stem of pneûma) + -ikos; pneuma, -ic

Example Sentences

Regulators also sought to require the use of electronically controlled pneumatic braking systems that are designed to rapidly halt trains by applying brakes across their entire span simultaneously, instead of each car individually.

From Seattle Times

The most common model styles are spring and pneumatic, and both cost around $15 for a replacement.

From Seattle Times

Hundreds of pneumatic pistons are then used to compress the plasma until the atoms fuse, generating massive amounts of heat.

From BBC

After the parental spat, 14-year-old Canto began digging in the family garden after school, and eventually enlisted a friend with a pneumatic drill to blast the ten-foot deep cave.

From Fox News

The proposed rule also establishes emission reduction requirements for equipment like compressors, turbines, heaters and other pneumatic devices.

From Washington Times