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

Generated when biomass, such as crop residues, wood, or other organic matter, is heated to produce clean energy, bio-tar can clog pipelines, corrode equipment, and release harmful compounds into the atmosphere if not managed carefully. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Without electrification, Simpliciano said, renewable targets run the risk of being feeble and ineffective, with brands potentially turning to biomass and other problematic substitutions as stopgap measures. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 25 Sep. 2025

Glucose can be derived from any lignocellulosic feedstock like wood chips, sawdust, tree branches or other woody biomass. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

And the algicide attempts may not have worked because the biomass of blue-green algae was just too large for effects to be detected. —Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)