biopsy

noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for biopsy

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biopsy was in 1887

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Cite this Entry

“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

biopsy

noun
bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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 How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
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

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