biotechnology

noun

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
1
: the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (such as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
also : any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
2
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The longevity biotechnology industry is rapidly advancing with thousands of scientists round the world making credible advances in aging research. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The yogurt-makers weren’t looking for biotechnology’s Next Big Tool. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 But investment in experimental vaccines for dozens of other diseases remains modest and should be much higher, according to a new biotechnology industry report. Jonathan Saltzman — Boston Globe, STAT, 26 Jan. 2024 Local biotechnology firm QuidelOrtho ousted its longtime president and CEO, Douglas Bryant, on Wednesday. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024 As relations between Washington and Beijing get icier, U.S. officials and politicians in Washington have raised several warnings about potential Chinese threats to national security: telecoms equipment, biotechnology, and even purchases of U.S. farmland. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 22 Feb. 2024 Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg News Recent acquisitions of small drugmakers are giving biotechnology venture capitalists hope for stabilization in their industry following two years of declining investment. Brian Gormley, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024 The exterior of the headquarters of biotechnology company Biogen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dina Genkina, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024 Lewis has a fortune that Forbes estimates at $6.1 billion and assets in real estate, biotechnology, energy, agriculture and more. Larry Neumeister, Fortune Europe, 24 Jan. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biotechnology was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near biotechnology

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
: the manipulation (as by changing genetic material) of living things to produce useful products (as crops resistant to disease)

Medical Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
plural biotechnologies
1
: the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
also : any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
2
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on biotechnology

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