biodynamic

adjective

bio·​dy·​nam·​ic ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈna-mik 

-dī-

1

: of or relating to a system of farming that follows a sustainable, holistic approach which uses only organic, usually locally-sourced materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning, views the farm as a closed, diversified ecosystem, and often bases farming activities on lunar cycles

biodynamic practices

… these wines are distinctive and delicious. And … an increasing number of them are made from organic grapes or according to biodynamic principals, only deepening their purity and unique sense of place.

—Wine Spectator

The shop features plants, herb seasonings, and herb teas all grown on the property by means of biodynamic methods.

—Anthony Hitchcock and Jean Lindgren

2

: grown by or utilizing biodynamic farming

biodynamic vegetables

a biodynamic vineyard

biodynamically

ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈna-mi-k(-ə)lē 

adverb

cultivated biodynamically

biodynamics

ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈna-miks 

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

To proponents of biodynamics, the soil is not just a medium in which living things grow; the soil is itself a living organism.

—Bill St. John

Examples of biodynamic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With many wineries engaged in organic or biodynamic farming, Beaujolais offers all of that. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024

Organic farmers had to regularly and preemptively spray with copper sulfate, though biodynamic Château Fonplégade reports good results with an oak bark solution. —Elin McCoy, Fortune Europe, 11 May 2024

Eat them with sourdough (from The Almond Thief bakery—see below) and a glass of biodynamic wine. —Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024

Our goal is to highlight wineries that follow sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices such as organic, biodynamic farming, and low-impact interventions to support biodiversity. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Throughout his book, Isle explores concepts in sustainability like biodynamic and natural wine making and regenerative agriculture. —Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023

The mastermind behind the promotion of biodiversity in our wineries was my sister Caterina, who at the end of 2002 immediately decided to convert La Raia to organic and biodynamic farming, anticipating by far what has become a big trend in the farming industry in the recent years. —John Mariani, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

The maison partners with organic, small-scale growers in Alsace and elsewhere in France, while the wines are certified biodynamic and made with minimal intervention in the winemaking. —Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024

And don’t miss Story of Soil, helmed by vintner Jessica Gasca, whose operation puts heart and soul into making unique biodynamic wines. —Ariel Okin, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1