biotechnology

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

Mayor Darrell Steinberg said the science center would not only jump start broader investment along the river, but also help Sacramento achieve its goal of becoming a biotechnology center.

— ryan lillis, sacbee, "This $50 million Sacramento riverfront project nearly died, but work is finally underway," 31 May 2018
That was followed in 2016 by its biotechnology program.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Construction nears for UH Katy," 24 Apr. 2018
Genomic insight is the foundation for diverse applications of biotechnology, including the other tools that follow.

— nishan degnarain, Fortune, "Commentary: These Technologies Could Save the Northern White Rhino From Extinction," 20 Mar. 2018
The Express-News sat down with Garvin to discuss how his childhood shaped his work ethic, what his experience in finance gives him, and the challenges that face biotechnology companies.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "Biotech CEO Garvin built his career on the lessons from humble beginnings," 14 May 2018
The groom’s father is the founder of a biotechnology management consulting company, now known as Victor Smallberg & Associates.

— New York Times, "Marnie Kaplan, Michael Smallberg," 13 May 2018
The life-science sector, which includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, is one of those industries.

— joe kennedy, STAT, "Strong action is needed to preserve the competitiveness of America’s life-science industries," 7 May 2018
And in December 1984, geneticist Robert Weaver—the son of longtime National Geographic editor Kenneth Weaver—penned a feature about the then-nascent field of biotechnology, kicking off decades of coverage involving this rapidly advancing science.

— National Geographic, "How We've Tackled the Evolving Science of DNA," 25 Apr. 2018
Both men graduated from MIT, then worked together at a couple of biotechnology companies.

— jonathan saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Casma aims to open new drug frontier," 3 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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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