biotechnology

noun

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
1
: the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (such as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
also : any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
2
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

Examples of biotechnology 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.
Caravel’s biotechnology is rooted in research originally funded by the Department of Energy and conducted by Nicks at Tufts University. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 16 Oct. 2025 The team hopes to advance the method that combines photonics, biotechnology, and precision engineering. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025 Sakaguchi is an expert in immunology at the University of Osaka, Brunkow is a senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, and Ramsdell is a co-founder of Sonoma Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company based in San Francisco. Connor Greene, Time, 9 Oct. 2025 Developed by the Dutch biotechnology company uniQure, the therapy is the first to be tested in people with Huntington’s, according to the researchers. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for biotechnology

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biotechnology was in 1921

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Cite this Entry

“Biotechnology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biotechnology. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
: the manipulation (as by changing genetic material) of living things to produce useful products (as crops resistant to disease)

Medical Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
plural biotechnologies
1
: the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals)
also : any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation
2
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on biotechnology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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