biomarker

noun

bio·​mark·​er ˈbī-ō-ˌmär-kər 

: a distinctive biological or biologically derived indicator (such as a metabolite) of a process, event, or condition (such as aging, disease, or oil formation)

Examples of biomarker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The society granted that biomarkers can define diseases, as with certain cancers, before symptoms appear, but only when their meaning is sufficiently well understood. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Another hurdle is not having a good grasp on where these biomarkers are coming from, Miekisch says. — Marta Zaraaska, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026

So far, their most significant finding has been identifying cells in menstrual blood that express inflammatory biomarkers predictive of endometriosis. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026

By the end of the study, their biomarkers were similar to those of the control group, who hadn’t exercised at all. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for biomarker

• barker
• darker
• marker
• starker

Medical Definition

biomarker

noun

bio·​mark·​er ˈbī-ō-ˌmär-kər 

: a distinctive biological or biologically derived indicator (as a biochemical metabolite in the body) of a process, event, or condition (as aging, disease, or exposure to a toxic substance)

age-related biomarkers of disease and degenerative change

—Janet Raloff