biopsy

noun

bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy transitive verb

Did you know?

Matter examined in a biopsy is always taken from a living organism. Most biopsies are done by using a needle to extract tissue or fluid, but some may instead require cutting, and others may amount to nothing more than swabbing the inside of the patient's cheek. Biopsies are best known as a means of detecting cancer, but a doctor may also take a biopsy of heart muscle to investigate suspected heart disease, for example, or perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman to test for disorders in the fetus.

Examples of biopsy 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.
This led her to pursue more testing including an MRI and biopsies. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 First of all, great news: Catherine’s biopsy came back negative. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 Traditionally, this process relies on various diagnostic tests, such as imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, etc.), blood tests and biopsies, to determine the best course of treatment. Roman Smagulov, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Immediately, she was recruited by Mer and Bailey to perform Catherine’s biopsy. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for biopsy 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary bi- entry 2 + -opsy (as in autopsy)

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biopsy was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near biopsy

Cite this Entry

“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

biopsy

noun
bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

Medical Definition

biopsy

1 of 2 noun
bi·​op·​sy ˈbī-ˌäp-sē How to pronounce biopsy (audio)
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body

biopsy

2 of 2 transitive verb
biopsied; biopsying
: to perform a biopsy on
the intestinal polyps were removed and biopsied
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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