biomass

noun

bio·​mass ˈbī-ō-ˌmas How to pronounce biomass (audio)
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 Brazilian paper and pulp producer Suzano has signed an agreement with Japan's Mitsui & Co, focusing on the development of new bioeconomy businesses based on the potential of sustainable biomass. Angelica Mari, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 But there’s only so much biomass waste available above ground, and it’s distributed across the planet. Matt Simon, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 California’s hub will produce hydrogen exclusively from renewable energy and biomass, while other hubs will experiment with other sources. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023 Fishery surveys often involve a crewed ship that features a sonar for estimating biomass and people trawling for fish, De Robertis explained. Alka Tripathy-Lang, Ars Technica, 21 June 2023 The ecological impacts of dropping tons of biomass to the ocean bottom are currently unclear as well. Saima May Sidik, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 When peatlands are drained, layers of aged biomass that are exposed to oxygen-rich air decay at an accelerated rate, releasing carbon from bygone eras into the atmosphere. Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024 The main products of the second compartment are water-containing minerals and ammonium and biomass that could potentially be used as a protein source. Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023 In some tributaries, blue catfish now make up as much as 75% of the total fish biomass, according to DNR. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biomass.' 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

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biomass was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near biomass

Cite this Entry

“Biomass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biomass. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce biomass (audio)
: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)

More from Merriam-Webster on biomass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!