biomass

noun

bio·​mass ˈbī-ō-ˌmas 

1

: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)

2

: plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel

Examples of biomass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) cocktail of Streptomyces and Agromyces-Bacillus to improve the metabolizing of nutrients and stimulate plant growth hormones, greenhouse kale and choy sum grew faster in height, leaf surface area, and shoot biomass. —New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2026

This study indicates that non-edible biomass can be processed through simple steps to create safer formulations for everyday items like labels and receipts. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

Clean energy from toxic waste Bio-tar – the thick liquid by-product produced when heating biomass and organic matter – has long been viewed as toxic to the environment and an unavoidable cost of renewable energy production. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025

Typically, aircraft flying at high altitude release a lot of water, which, says Trouvé, mostly misses the burning biomass. —IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biomass

noun

bio·​mass ˈbī-ō-ˌmas 

1

: the amount of living matter (as in an area or volume of habitat)

2

: plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel

Medical Definition

biomass

noun

bio·​mass -ˌmas 

: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)