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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
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
Dictionary Entries Near biomass
Cite this Entry
“Biomass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biomass. Accessed 24 May. 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
: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)
More from Merriam-Webster on biomass
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biomass
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