biotechnology

noun

bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
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
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

Examples of biotechnology in a Sentence

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.
Helen Kado-Fong, a supervisor who had worked in the biotechnology department for about 12 years decided to retire early in May. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024 San Diego, 46, faces charges in the United States for allegedly planting two bombs that detonated about an hour apart on the morning of August 28, 2003, at a biotechnology company in Emeryville, California. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 Community college pathways open doors to jobs shaped or created by the emerging technology areas emphasized in CHIPS—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and beyond. Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 In general, corporate partnerships between AI vendors and corporate customers have exploded in 2024, including OpenAI’s pacts with biotechnology company Moderna and financial giant Morgan Stanley. John Kell, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for biotechnology 

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biotechnology was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near biotechnology

Cite this Entry

“Biotechnology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biotechnology. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy ˌbī-ō-tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
: the manipulation (as by changing genetic material) of living things to produce useful products (as crops resistant to disease)

Medical Definition

biotechnology

noun
bio·​tech·​nol·​o·​gy -tek-ˈnäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biotechnology (audio)
plural biotechnologies
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
biotechnological adjective
biotechnologically adverb
biotechnologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on biotechnology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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