biomass

noun

bio·​mass ˈbī-ō-ˌmas 

1

: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)

2

: plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel

Examples of biomass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The challenge is that creating sustainable aviation fuel costs three to five times more than conventional jet fuel and securing biomasses at scale is challenging. —Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024

The carrots, meanwhile, produced less biomass and had a lower yield in intercropping compared to monocropping. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2024

The European Commission actually considers biomass burning its largest source of renewable energy, even though it’s been tied to deforestation across Europe and the US. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 6 May 2024

The plastic made from biomass is tough and flexible, and can twist without breaking. —Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024

The tomatoes had a higher biomass and also had more potassium when grown this way. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2024

One other key concern for carbon removal pathways that involve waste biomass is availability of the material. —Michelle Ma, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023

Regulatory agencies around the world generally consider biomass – or organic material from animals and plants, including wood pellets – as a renewable energy source. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024

These are wind, bio-energy (made from biomass, a form of organic matter), waves, the tides, and geothermal sources. —Nicholas Wyman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biomass

noun

bio·​mass

ˈbī-ō-ˌmas

1

: the amount of living matter (as in an area or volume of habitat)

2

: plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel

Medical Definition

biomass

noun

bio·​mass -ˌmas 

: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)