cyber

¹

[ sahy-ber ]

noun

1. (used alone as a substitute for many compound words that begin with the combining form cyber-, as cyberattack, cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, or cyberwarfare ): Ethical hackers are being recruited for careers in cyber.

   GPS may be vulnerable to jamming and cyber.

   Ethical hackers are being recruited for careers in cyber.

adjective

1. of or relating to computers, typically to one of the technology domains named with the combining form cyber-, as cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, or cyberattack: several cyber breaches; cyber plots.

   a cyber threat;

   several cyber breaches;

   cyber operations;

   cyber plots.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in cybersex:

   People playing the MMO were cybering in voice chat, sometimes without even creating a separate channel to keep it private.

cyber-

²

Digital Technology.

1. a combining form meaning “computer,” “computer network,” or “virtual reality,” used in the formation of compound words ( cybertalk; cyberart; cyberspace ) and by extension meaning “expressing visions of the future” ( cyberfashion ).

cyber-

combining_form

1. indicating computers

   cyberphobia

cyber–

1. A prefix that means “computer” or “computer network,” as in cyberspace, the electronic medium in which online communication takes place.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyber¹

First recorded in 1990–95; from cyber- ( def )

Origin of cyber²

Extracted from cybernetics none

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyber¹

C20: back formation from cybernetics

Example Sentences

“The cyber attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment was not just an attack against a company and its employees,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

To cyber security experts, the naivety of this statement beggars belief.

From The Daily Beast

Given the potential for a cyber tit-for-tat to escalate, Obama has even more incentive to find a diplomatic solution.

From The Daily Beast

But hey, maybe anti-regime posters wrote those, this being one place where it is open to being cyber-slimed.

From The Daily Beast

The priority that the regime places on cyber warfare is made clear by its recruiting.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• computerized

Words That Use cyber-

What does cyber- mean?

Cyber– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “computer” or “computer network.” In many instances, it is used to refer generally to the internet. It is often used in technical terms, especially in computer science.

Cyber– comes from a shortening of the term cybernetics, meaning “the study of communication and control in humans and mechanical systems.” Cybernetics ultimately comes from Greek kybernḗtēs, meaning “helmsman” or “steersman.” Learn more about cybernetics (and how it is related to the word govern) at our entry for the term.

Examples of cyber-

A word you may have encountered that features the form cyber– is cyberbully, “to bully online by sending or posting mean, hurtful, or intimidating messages.”

The first part of the word, cyber-, refers to the internet. The second part of the word, –bully, means “habitually intimidate, abuse, or harass.” Cyberbully literally means “to abuse online.”

What are some words that use the combining form cyber-?

• cybercafé
• cybernation
• cyberpet
• cyberpunk
• cybersex
• cyberwar

What are some other forms that cyber– may be commonly confused with?

• cryo-
• crypto-
• cysto-

Break it down!

Given the meaning of the form cyber-, what is a cyberwar?