What does implantable mean?
Implantable is an adjective meaning capable of being implanted or designed for implantation in the body. It is especially common in medicine and engineering when describing devices such as pacemakers, pumps, sensors, prostheses, and contraceptives. The term usually suggests that the object is placed inside the body through a medical procedure and remains there for a period of time. In everyday conversation, “implantable” may sound technical, but it is broadly understood in discussions of medical technology. It can also convey that a device or material is specifically suited to implantation, rather than merely portable or usable externally. The word is related to “implant,” and “implantation” refers to the process of placing something inside the body.
adjectiveCapable of being implanted, especially placed surgically within the body. In medical and technical contexts, it may also describe a device or material designed for implantation.
- Able or suitable to be implanted in the body.
"The hospital uses an implantable device to monitor patients' heart rhythms."
"The surgeon selected an implantable pacemaker for the patient."
"The researchers are developing a biodegradable, implantable sensor."
From a device that can be placed in the body to a rhythm monitor implanted under the skin, implantable technology has become part of modern medicine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does implantable come from?
The word comes from the verb “implant,” which was borrowed from Latin implantare, meaning “to plant into” or “to set in.” The adjective “implantable” was formed by adding the suffix “-able” to “implant,” expressing the ability or suitability of something for implantation. Its medical and technical uses developed alongside the practice of placing devices, tissues, or materials within the body.
Related word forms
How implantable is actually used
Chiefly used in medical, biological, and engineering contexts. It is usually more precise than simply saying that something can be put into the body, because it implies a deliberate implantation procedure or the suitability of a device for such use.