'avionic' originates from modern English coinage 'avionics' (a blend of 'aviation' + 'electronics'), where 'avion' comes from French 'avion' meaning 'airplane' (ultimately from Latin 'avis' meaning 'bird') and '-ics' from 'electronics'.

'avionic' developed by derivation from the noun 'avionics' (coined mid-20th century to name aircraft electronic systems); the adjective form 'avionic' was formed by adding the suffix '-ic' to describe things relating to avionics.

Initially coined to name the field and equipment ('avionics'), it came to be used adjectivally to mean 'relating to those aircraft electronic systems'; the core sense has remained focused on aircraft/spacecraft electronics.