biotechnology

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

Definition of biotechnology

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

Other Words from biotechnology Example Sentences Learn More about biotechnology

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many of these conflicts reflected equity stakes in or patents licensed to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, "Reporting Recipe: How to Investigate Professors’ Conflicts of Interest," 7 Jan. 2020 Pascal worked for Sanofi Genzyme, an international biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, as the company's director of social responsibility and community relations. — NBC News, "Boston mom in likely double murder-suicide with kids was biotech exec," 27 Dec. 2019 The fund, which is seeking registration to operate in the U.S. to invest in biotechnology startups, has yet to make its first investment. — Mayumi Negishi, WSJ, "Japan Revokes Lucrative Package for Fund Executives," 4 Dec. 2018 If, God forbid, there’s ever a nuclear war, a Lexington biotechnology startup will be able to sell a drug that’s been proven effective against radiation sickness. — Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Lexington biotech wins approval for a drug everyone hopes is never needed," 6 June 2018 The Boston mother found dead with her two young children at the bottom of a parking garage in what authorities said was very likely a double murder-suicide was an Ivy League graduate and an executive at a prominent Cambridge biotechnology firm. — NBC News, "Boston mom in likely double murder-suicide with kids was biotech exec," 27 Dec. 2019 In the late ’90s, one biotechnology firm, Genentech, launched two highly effective cancer medicines, Rituxan and Herceptin, that each became a multibillion-dollar seller. — Matthew Herper, STAT, "The debate over America’s drug-pricing system is built on myths. It’s time to face reality," 23 Dec. 2019 As a result, its genetic material is coveted by scientists, biotechnology companies and research institutes globally. — Keymanthri Moodley, Quartz Africa, "Africa’s genetic material is still being misused," 23 Dec. 2019 Shares of the plant biotechnology company jumped 20 cents, or 24%, to $1.02, after the FDA's announcement. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "FDA approves sale of reduced-nicotine cigarettes," 17 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biotechnology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about biotechnology

Dictionary Entries near biotechnology

Statistics for biotechnology

Last Updated

15 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Biotechnology.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biotechnology. Accessed 19 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for biotechnology

biotechnology

noun

English Language Learners Definition of biotechnology

: the use of living cells, bacteria, etc., to make useful products (such as crops that insects are less likely to destroy or new kinds of medicine)

See the full definition for biotechnology in the English Language Learners Dictionary

biotechnology

noun

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

Kids Definition of biotechnology

: the use of techniques from genetics to combine inherited characteristics selected from different kinds of organisms into one organism in order to produce useful products (as drugs)

biotechnology

noun

bio·tech·nol·o·gy | \ -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē

plural biotechnologies

Medical Definition of biotechnology

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