by-product

noun

by-prod·​uct ˈbī-ˌprä-(ˌ)dəkt How to pronounce by-product (audio)
variants or byproduct
plural by-products or byproducts
1
: something produced in a usually industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product
Sulfured molasses is a by-product of sugar refining.Wayne Gisslen
Small amounts of amyloid beta are generated as an ordinary metabolic byproduct and are believed to do no harm, but larger amounts seem to be tied to Alzheimer's.January W. Payne
Meat by-products are parts other than meat, including organs, blood and bone …Amy D. Shojai
Among the most commonly occurring and thoroughly studied chlorination byproducts are trihalomethanes …Consumer Reports
2
: a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended result
Japan's success as an international exporter of manufactured goods is a by-product of the volatile trade among Japanese cities.Jane Jacobs
As investor confidence grows, overspending and overborrowing are typically byproducts of an aging bull market.Carolyn Bigda
One of the by-products of the information age is an increasing number of data formats.John Was

Examples of by-product in a Sentence

hydrogen is one by-product of that chemical reaction
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These toxins include industrial solvents such as dioxins — dangerous chemicals created as by-products during manufacturing — as well as pesticides and some plastics. Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 Hexavalent chromium, a by-product of industrial processes such as metal fabricating and burning coal for electricity. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025 Collisions between the missing matter and other debris can completely knock the collisions’ by-products into different orbits. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Sep. 2025 The sticky, toxic by-product of renewable energy production has haunted the industry for decades, causing headaches for engineers and researchers alike. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for by-product

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of by-product was in 1849

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Cite this Entry

“By-product.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by-product. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

by-product

noun
by-prod·​uct
ˈbī-ˌpräd-(ˌ)əkt
: a product or result produced in addition to the main product or result

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