bioactive

adjective

bio·​ac·​tive ˌbī-ō-ˈak-tiv 

: having an effect on a living organism

bioactive molecules

bioactivity

ˌbī-ō-ak-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of bioactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Coffee Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants with a wide variety of bioactive compounds that can help protect against harmful free radicals. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 29 Apr. 2025

Some research suggests that hot coffee may have a higher antioxidant content due to greater extraction of bioactive compounds in the hot beverage.13 Is Coffee Bad for You? —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025

But Evans said the further analyses is still need to asses its nutritional value, including the macromolecular composition and bioactive compounds present in the space miso. —Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

Within these foods are functional ingredients—nutrients and bioactive compounds. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bioactive

• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Medical Definition

bioactive

adjective

bio·​ac·​tive -ˈak-tiv 

: having an effect on a living organism

bioactive molecules

bioactive pharmaceuticals and pesticides

bioactivity

-ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural bioactivities