by-product

noun

by-prod·​uct ˈbī-ˌprä-(ˌ)dəkt How to pronounce by-product (audio)
variants or byproduct
plural by-products or byproducts
1
: something produced in a usually industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product
Sulfured molasses is a by-product of sugar refining.Wayne Gisslen
Small amounts of amyloid beta are generated as an ordinary metabolic byproduct and are believed to do no harm, but larger amounts seem to be tied to Alzheimer's.January W. Payne
Meat by-products are parts other than meat, including organs, blood and bone …Amy D. Shojai
Among the most commonly occurring and thoroughly studied chlorination byproducts are trihalomethanes …Consumer Reports
2
: a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended result
Japan's success as an international exporter of manufactured goods is a by-product of the volatile trade among Japanese cities.Jane Jacobs
As investor confidence grows, overspending and overborrowing are typically byproducts of an aging bull market.Carolyn Bigda
One of the by-products of the information age is an increasing number of data formats.John Was

Examples of by-product in a Sentence

hydrogen is one by-product of that chemical reaction
Recent Examples on the Web Directly measuring how well these glomeruli are functioning is possible but cumbersome, so instead doctors rely on blood levels of a protein called creatinine, a waste product produced by muscles and a by-product of protein metabolism, to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 This build-up provides an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms, such as the aforementioned Malassezia yeast, which doesn’t only promote dandruff, but also by-products that can irritate the scalp and cause itching. Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024 Shame is then a natural part of individuation as well as a by-product of our cultural backgrounds and upbringings. Melissa Petro, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 Plus, their milk thistle seed extract is sustainable, created with upcycled by-product of milk thistle oil production. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for by-product 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by-product.' 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

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of by-product was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near by-product

Cite this Entry

“By-product.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by-product. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

by-product

noun
by-prod·​uct
ˈbī-ˌpräd-(ˌ)əkt
: a product or result produced in addition to the main product or result

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