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

Recent Examples on the Web Why Nashville Loves Hattie B's Part of that, says Nick Bishop Jr. (Hattie B's co-owner and operator, along with Nick Bishop Sr.) is a natural by-product of their dedication to ensuring the core menu items are well prepared and always available. Timothy Charles Davis, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2024 Anita Dunn, a senior adviser who specializes in communications, considers that a by-product of age. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Color is a by-product of the specific ingredients of each beer, principally the barley, wheat, rye or other grains. Jay R. Brooks, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 And maybe the same should be said throughout the country, given our housing crisis is a by-product of a vast supply shortage, estimated to be anywhere between roughly two million and seven million homes. Alena Botros, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 The necessity to maximize agility explains why flatter hierarchies in lean startups are not a cause but rather a by-product. Columbia Business School - The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The protons and electrons take separate paths to a battery cathode, where electrons create the flow of electricity, with water vapor as the sole by-product. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2024 The pub in Bellaire is known for its pizzas and pretzels with dough made from scratch daily and includes a by-product from the brewing process. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2024 The administration’s broader strategic failure is a by-product of its belief that the character of the Iranian regime can be fundamentally transformed through engagement. The Editors, National Review, 5 Feb. 2024

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 29 Mar. 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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