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

Along with agriculture, biotechnology, nursing, engineering, computer science and cybersecurity, it is known for training commercial pilots. — Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Biogen — Shares were up 2% after the biotechnology company beat Wall Street consensus estimates on revenue and earnings. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 29 July 2026

In many ways, biotechnology is now a Sputnik moment — and the race is already underway. — David Shulkin, STAT, 29 July 2026

Haruharu Wonder’s Rose PDRN, for example, is created from callus cells of the Damask rose through biotechnology and purification. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 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