biotechnology

1 of 2

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

biotechnological

2 of 2

adjective

bio·​tech·​no·​log·​i·​cal ¦bī-(ˌ)ō-ˌtek-nə-¦lä-ji-kəl 

: of or relating to biotechnology

… the biotechnological process of using genetically-manipulated bacteria or yeasts to produce the antigenic proteins of vaccines …

—Peter Newmark, Nature, 1–7 Sept. 1983

biotechnologically

¦bī-(ˌ)ō-ˌtek-nə-¦lä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Erythropoietin, or EPO, is a biotechnologically derived copy of a human hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells.

—Wall Street Journal, 16 Mar. 1990

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Behnke sees Beauty Crush Skincare as the convergence of biotechnology and regenerative agriculture. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 3 June 2026

Genentech, the biotechnology giant headquartered in South City and one of the city's major employers, funded the landmark's update as part of the company's 50th anniversary. —Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 3 June 2026

In addition to his work in neuroscience and biotechnology, Papapetropoulos has recently turned to writing to reflect on the broader meaning of a professional life. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Colony stars Gianna Jun (My Sassy Girl) as a biotechnology professor attending a conference in Seoul when a virus breaks out and starts transforming the other attendees into zombies. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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