biotechnology

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

biotechnologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gist ¦bī-(ˌ)ō-ˌtek-¦nä-lə-jist 

: a specialist in biotechnology

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device businesses provide potential partners for health research. — Michael Simas, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

The British biotechnology company is moving beyond laboratory development, with a pilot processing nylon waste at multiton scale and a larger facility designed to handle hundreds of metric tons annually. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

During her opening statement, Overton plans to emphasize the need for speed and efficiency at the FDA to compete with China’s accelerating biotechnology industry. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026

The ART work remains at an early stage, and researchers are now investigating its biological function and whether its unusual architecture could eventually have biotechnology applications. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

biotechnology + -ist entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1920, in the meaning defined above

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