biopsy

noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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 To be sure, McKeon paid a visit to her doctor, who did an ultrasound and took a biopsy. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 But typically, your doctor will take a skin biopsy, which may involve numbing you and shaving off the growth as a first — and potentially final! Chloe Metzger, Allure, 15 Dec. 2023 Such a patient might need periodic blood tests to check PSA levels, or additional biopsies and MRIs, Trinh said. Sara G. Miller, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 The downside: Breast ultrasounds have a higher than 90% rate of false positives, recommending patients for biopsies that ultimately find benign cells. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 23 Jan. 2024 Although mammography screening is usually covered in accordance with previous rules, the new Maryland law prohibits charges for supplemental examinations, such as biopsies that are not related to an abnormality or are performed because a patient has increased risk of breast cancer. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2024 The actress, who's appeared in more than 70 shows and TV movies, including starring roles in Another World and Castle, says during the appointment the radiologist noticed a swollen lymph node under her arm and suggested a biopsy. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024 Politics What immigration trends mean for U.S. population and economic growth July 7, 2023 Advertisement Unable to work and sinking into debt from medical bills, including a $2,500 biopsy, Roy took leave from the company to recuperate at a friend’s apartment. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 The project relies on a contingent of FWS field biologists—who are often already gathering biological samples from endangered species in the wild—to obtain small tissue biopsies from living animals to be frozen. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biopsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary bi- entry 2 + -opsy (as in autopsy)

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biopsy was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near biopsy

Cite this Entry

“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

biopsy

noun
bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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 How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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