bioaccumulation
noun
bio·ac·cu·mu·la·tion
ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ə-ˌkyü-m(y)ə-ˈlā-shən 
: the accumulation over time of a substance and especially a contaminant (such as a pesticide or heavy metal) in a living organism
bioaccumulate
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
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
Stephen K. Ritter
bioaccumulative
adjective
Persistent bioaccumulative pollutants pose the greatest chemical threat to sustainability.
—Science
Science
Examples of bioaccumulation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, if a fish has a small amount of nitrogen, but then a seal eats many fish, the seal’s percentage of nitrogen will be higher, indicating their place on the food chain in what is called bioaccumulation.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
Many of these persistent metals can jeopardize biodiversity, water quality, crop yields and food safety, via bioaccumulation in farm animals.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Abyssal microplastics appear to sink from the surface of the open ocean, and polystyrene particles increase the bioaccumulation of SSRIs in brine shrimp.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2024
Speculations ranged from pesticide bioaccumulation to habitat destruction.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
McDonough began by listing critical environmental concerns affecting human health that are caused by a variety of pollutants such as bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity and cancer.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 18 June 2024
Through the process of bioaccumulation in living organisms, PFAS chemicals and other micropollutants can build up over time, multiplying their harmful effects.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024
So killer whales are some of the most toxic mammals on the planet, period, because of this bioaccumulation.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
As apex predators, killer whales are subject to countless threats including pollution, bioaccumulation of microplastics, food shortages, habitat shrinking, and climate change.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 29 Dec. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
Many of these persistent metals can jeopardize biodiversity, water quality, crop yields and food safety, via bioaccumulation in farm animals.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Abyssal microplastics appear to sink from the surface of the open ocean, and polystyrene particles increase the bioaccumulation of SSRIs in brine shrimp.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2024
Speculations ranged from pesticide bioaccumulation to habitat destruction.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
McDonough began by listing critical environmental concerns affecting human health that are caused by a variety of pollutants such as bioaccumulation, endocrine disruption, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity and cancer.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 18 June 2024
Through the process of bioaccumulation in living organisms, PFAS chemicals and other micropollutants can build up over time, multiplying their harmful effects.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024
So killer whales are some of the most toxic mammals on the planet, period, because of this bioaccumulation.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
As apex predators, killer whales are subject to countless threats including pollution, bioaccumulation of microplastics, food shortages, habitat shrinking, and climate change.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 29 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Bioaccumulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioaccumulation. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bioaccumulation
noun
bio·ac·cu·mu·la·tion
ˌbī-ō-ə-ˌkyü-myə-ˈlā-shən
: the accumulation of a substance (as a pesticide) in a living organism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share