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

This is the most common type of stereotactic breast biopsy. —Sarah Jividen, Health, 27 Sep. 2024

Report suggestions include the development of leapfrogging technologies such as liquid biopsy, international data sharing, and wider participation of community clinics to improve access to new treatments. —Russell Flannery, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Five weeks into treatment, a rash spread across my body like an acid burn, requiring a biopsy. —Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Abnormal results may lead to a bone marrow biopsy or MRI scan. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024

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