plural in form but singular in construction
: the science of communication and control theory that is concerned especially with the comparative study of automatic control systems (such as the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)

Examples of cybernetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Researchers’ experiment melded two fields that have track records of success: optogentics and cybernetics. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2014 Or Harrison Gilbertson’s pallid, shy cybernetics visionary Eron Keen in Upgrade, also from 2018. Vulture, 11 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Greek kybernētēs pilot, governor (from kybernan to steer, govern) + English -ics

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cybernetics was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Cybernetics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybernetics. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cybernetics

noun
: a science concerned especially with studies comparing automatic control systems (as that of the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)

Medical Definition

cybernetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
: the science of communication and control theory that is concerned especially with the comparative study of automatic control systems (as the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)

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