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.

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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

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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

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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

The DOT, as it is called, is almost comically outdated: It includes “pneumatic tube operator” but not web designer.

From Salon

It also used highly efficient modern engines from General Electric and Rolls Royce, and it replaced many mechanical and pneumatic systems with lighter electrical ones.

From BBC

“If they lose, it gets crushed by this massive new pneumatic press, then ground up and put into the bottom of the totem for next year,” McCabe said, a smile on his face.

From Los Angeles Times

It wasn’t easy: The half-ton compressor needed to drive the team’s large pneumatic drill was too heavy for their helicopter.

From Science Magazine

They began carefully removing dirt using a vacuum and pneumatic knives, Scott said.

From Los Angeles Times