biomarker

American

[bahy-oh-mahr-ker] / ˈbaɪ oʊˌmɑr kər /

noun

a distinct biochemical, genetic, or molecular characteristic or substance that is an indicator of a particular biological condition or process.

a blood test to measure protein biomarkers for cancer.

biomarker British

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌmɑːkə /

noun

another name for biological marker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of biomarker

First recorded in 1970–75; bio- ( def. ) + marker ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A new research initiative called Biomarker Research Integrating Data of Glyco-Immune Signatures and Clinical Evidence in Breast Cancer is working to address this gap.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

He described the trial as "a critical part of the Blood Biomarker Challenge, which we hope will take us a step forward in revolutionising the way we diagnose dementia."

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

Biomarker analyses supported the diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease in two patients with the diagnosis, and was suggestive of Alzheimer's in one other person; an autopsy analysis showed Alzheimer's pathology in another patient.

From Science Daily • Jan. 29, 2024

The NHS Blood Biomarker Challenge will look to recruit at least 1,000 NHS patients.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

Biomarker testing also excludes people who are unlikely to benefit from the drug and who would only incur harmful side effects.

From Scientific American • Nov. 3, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023