biopsy

noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 

plural biopsies

: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

biopsy transitive verb

Did you know?

Matter examined in a biopsy is always taken from a living organism. Most biopsies are done by using a needle to extract tissue or fluid, but some may instead require cutting, and others may amount to nothing more than swabbing the inside of the patient's cheek. Biopsies are best known as a means of detecting cancer, but a doctor may also take a biopsy of heart muscle to investigate suspected heart disease, for example, or perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman to test for disorders in the fetus.

Examples of biopsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The nodules in those early cases ranged from 4 to 10 millimeters, and were the peripheral, hard-to-reach kind where conventional biopsy tools most often fall short. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Following the treatment, patients are monitored through blood testing, MRIs, and sometimes biopsies. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026

Scientists take a sample of the patient’s tumor, either from existing tissue or a new biopsy, and analyze it for mutations. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Most polyps are noncancerous, but they are usually removed during the procedure and sent for biopsy. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary bi- entry 2 + -opsy (as in autopsy)

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

biopsy

noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 

plural biopsies

: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

Medical Definition

biopsy

1 of 2 noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 

plural biopsies

: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

biopsy

2 of 2 transitive verb

biopsied; biopsying

: to perform a biopsy on

the intestinal polyps were removed and biopsied