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

Surgery has become more conservative—lumpectomies and sentinel lymph node biopsies often replace full mastectomies, reducing complications and recovery time. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2025

Additional labs were drawn to rule out less serious causes, but answers ultimately depended on the biopsy results. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

Her doctor ordered a mammogram, then an ultrasound, then a biopsy. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

The approval followed results from a large phase 3 study (ESSENCE), in which weekly semaglutide led to improvements in liver inflammation without worsening scarring, as confirmed by biopsy. —Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025

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