biotechnology

noun

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnä-lə-jē 

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

: ergonomics sense 1

biotechnological

ˌbī-ō-ˌtek-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

biotechnologically

ˌbī-ō-ˌtek-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

biotechnologist

ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there are the anti-vax politics — including baseless allegations made by Robert Malone, a pathologist turned biotechnology executive, on his personal Substack. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025

Kishida and Yoon agreed in 2023 to collaborate in fields of intense geopolitical competition, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and supply chain resilience. —Ayumi Teraoka, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2025

This new institute’s funding provided much of the seed capital for the emergence of biotechnology. —Fred D. Ledley, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

Goldman is much more bullish on Danaher’s biotechnology business next year than the Street is giving it credit for. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for biotechnology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

biotechnology

noun

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē 

: 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 

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

: ergonomics

biotechnological

-ˌtek-nə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

biotechnologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

biotechnologist

-tek-ˈnäl-ə-jəst 

noun