biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
transitive verb
Did you know?
Matter examined in a biopsy is always taken from a living organism. Most biopsies are done by using a needle to extract tissue or fluid, but some may instead require cutting, and others may amount to nothing more than swabbing the inside of the patient's cheek. Biopsies are best known as a means of detecting cancer, but a doctor may also take a biopsy of heart muscle to investigate suspected heart disease, for example, or perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman to test for disorders in the fetus.
Examples of biopsy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the new study, researchers conducted a gene analysis in 182 skin biopsies from tanning bed users and tracked mutation patterns.
—
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Researchers also used single-cell DNA sequencing to investigate 182 skin biopsies from tanning bed users and control subjects on a cellular level.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Dec. 2025
Blair had the initial cancer and lymph nodes removed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after undergoing follow-up tests including MRI scans, CT scans and biopsies.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
After rabies was suspected in the Michigan man, a biopsy that had previously been collected from the donor on his third day at the hospital was revisited.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biopsy
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Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
Researchers also used single-cell DNA sequencing to investigate 182 skin biopsies from tanning bed users and control subjects on a cellular level.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Dec. 2025
Blair had the initial cancer and lymph nodes removed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after undergoing follow-up tests including MRI scans, CT scans and biopsies.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
After rabies was suspected in the Michigan man, a biopsy that had previously been collected from the donor on his third day at the hospital was revisited.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biopsy
Cite this Entry
“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
Medical Definition
biopsy
1 of 2 noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
2 of 2 transitive verb
biopsied; biopsying
: to perform a biopsy on
the intestinal polyps were removed and biopsied
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