biotechnology

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

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

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 1

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biotechnological

play \-ˌtek-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

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biotechnologically

play \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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biotechnologist

play \-ˈnä-lə-jist\ noun

See biotechnology defined for English-language learners

See biotechnology defined for kids

Recent Examples of biotechnology from the Web

The show suggests that we are so subsumed by artificial intelligence, biotechnology and virtual reality that humanity itself may be disappearing.

— anne tschida, miamiherald, "Her bionic fingers twitch. And that’s not the most disturbing part of this show | Miami Herald," 6 Apr. 2018
Most were American biotechnology companies with one or two specialist products.

— The Economist, "Takeda eyes up Shire," 5 Apr. 2018
As the rout intensified, shares of companies ranging from chip makers to electronic-payment providers to biotechnology firms tumbled too, highlighting the indiscriminate selling spreading across the technology industry.

— ben eisen, WSJ, "Technology Shares Plunge Again Amid Growing Backlash," 2 Apr. 2018
Several of her articles on biotechnology were published in scientific journals and periodicals.

— courant.com, "Mary Jane Paolella Sr.," 27 Mar. 2018
Xi is trying to upgrade production through initiatives such as Made in China 2025 -- an ambitious plan to make the country an innovation leader in sectors ranging from aircraft to new energy vehicles and biotechnology.

— Bloomberg.com, "It's All Xi, All the Time in China as Party Influence Expands," 11 Mar. 2018
Hong Kong’s stock exchange is gearing up to allow biotechnology companies to sell shares before generating any revenue—and companies are preparing to rush in.

— julie steinberg, WSJ, "No Revenue? No Problem—Hong Kong Draws Biotech Firms Looking to List," 22 Mar. 2018
New genetic and biotechnology tools are already being used in medicine and agricultural systems, particularly with crops and domestic animals.

— nishan degnarain, Fortune, "Commentary: These Technologies Could Save the Northern White Rhino From Extinction," 20 Mar. 2018
Underscoring that cooperative spirit, Faulconer and Peters praised Forge as an example of the innovation and company creation that characterizes the San Diego biotechnology community.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Antibiotic developer Forge Therapeutics expanding into new space," 20 Mar. 2018

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.

First Known Use of biotechnology

1921

Other Microbiology Terms

pathogen, salmonella, tetanus

BIOTECHNOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

biotechnology

noun

Definition of biotechnology for English Language Learners

: 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)

BIOTECHNOLOGY Defined for Kids

biotechnology

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

Definition of biotechnology for Students

: 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)

Medical Dictionary

biotechnology

noun bio·tech·nol·o·gy \ -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē \

medical Definition of biotechnology

plural biotechnologies

1 : the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (as novel pharmaceuticals); also : any of various applications of biological science used in such manipulation

2 : ergonomics

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