biotechnology

noun

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

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Other Words from biotechnology

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

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An adjuvant component for the vaccine is required and provided by Novavax, a biotechnology company in the US and Sweden. — Adrian Hill, Quartz, "A global team of researchers has developed a malaria vaccine with “unprecedented” effectiveness," 25 Apr. 2021 The material was originally developed by the American biotechnology company Bolt Threads in 2018. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, "Adidas Is Working on a Stan Smith Sneaker Made From Mushroom Leather," 19 Apr. 2021 July 27, 2020 - A vaccine being developed by the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in partnership with the biotechnology company Moderna, enters Phase 3 testing. — Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, "Coronavirus Outbreak Timeline Fast Facts," 18 Apr. 2021 Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sage Therapeutics (SAGE) is an early-stage biotechnology company. — John Dorfman, Forbes, "3 Beaten Down Stocks That May Rise Again," 5 Apr. 2021 BioNTech, a biotechnology company based in Mainz, Germany, partnered with Pfizer to test and produce its vaccine. — USA Today, "Comparing the COVID-19 vaccines," 27 Mar. 2021 But on Tuesday, children from 6 months to 12 years old began to receive shots in a trial run by U.S. biotechnology company Moderna. — Washington Post, "Vaccine studies are expanding. That’s good news for children, pregnant women and those over 65.," 19 Mar. 2021 The biotechnology company is raising funds at a time its vaccine work is in the spotlight. — Jenny Strasburg, WSJ, "Startup Behind AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine Raises $168 Million in Step Toward IPO," 17 Mar. 2021 But investments in education and health care planted the seed of what is today an unusually sophisticated biotechnology apparatus for a small developing country, with at least 31 research companies and 62 factories with over 20,000 workers. — Washington Post, "Against the odds, Cuba could become a coronavirus vaccine powerhouse.," 29 Mar. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

5 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Biotechnology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biotechnology. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

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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

Other Words from biotechnology

biotechnological \ -ˌtek-nə-ˈläj-i-kəl

\ adjective

biotechnologically \ -k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

biotechnologist \ -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jəst

\ noun

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