SINCE 1828
bioaccumulation
noun
bio·ac·cu·mu·la·tion
| \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ə-ˌkyü-m(y)ə-ˈlā-shən
\
\
Definition of bioaccumulation
: the accumulation over time of a substance and especially a contaminant (such as a pesticide or heavy metal) in a living organism
Other Words from bioaccumulation
bioaccumulate
\ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlāt
\
verb, transitive + intransitive
bioaccumulated;
bioaccumulating;
bioaccumulates
\
verb, transitive + intransitive
bioaccumulated;
bioaccumulating;
bioaccumulates
Oysters, like other bivalves, are sessile organisms that are continually filtering water, and they often bioaccumulate toxins …
— David C. Metzger
The chemical inertness of these compounds makes them useful for a variety of consumer and industrial products, but this property also means the compounds are persistent and can bioaccumulate.
— Stephen K. Ritter
bioaccumulative
\ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlā-tiv
\
adjective
\
adjective
Persistent bioaccumulative pollutants pose the greatest chemical threat to sustainability.
— Science
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for bioaccumulation
bioaccumulation
noun
bio·ac·cu·mu·la·tion
| \ ˌbī-ō-ə-ˌkyü-myə-ˈlā-shən
\
\
Medical Definition of bioaccumulation
: the accumulation of a substance (as a pesticide) in a living organism
Other Words from bioaccumulation
bioaccumulate
\ -ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlāt
\
verb
bioaccumulated;
bioaccumulating
\
verb
bioaccumulated;
bioaccumulating
bioaccumulative
\ -ˌlāt-iv, -lət-
\
adjective
\
adjective
Comments on bioaccumulation
What made you want to look up bioaccumulation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Finance Words Quiz
-
- The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share bioaccumulation
Resources for bioaccumulation