bioavailability

American  

[bahy-oh-uh-vey-luh-bil-i-tee] / ˌbaɪ oʊ əˌveɪ ləˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the extent to which a nutrient or medication can be used by the body.

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bioavailability British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊəˌveɪləˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: systemic availability.  the extent to which a drug or other substance is taken up by a specific tissue or organ after administration; the proportion of the dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation intact after administration by a route other than intravenous

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Other Word Forms

• bioavailable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bioavailability

First recorded in 1965–70; bio- + available ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Systemic therapies have shown poor bioavailability in pancreatic tumors, limiting their effectiveness. Optune Pax is a fundamentally different treatment, utilizing a biophysical approach that targets the unique electrical properties of cancer cells.”

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Now that safety and tolerability have been established in healthy adults, the authors said they will be conducting future studies to evaluate the bioavailability and clinical effectiveness of intranasal bumetanide in patients with heart failure.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

Red radish sprouts had higher bioavailability of polyphenols than red cabbage, broccoli and white mustard, even though the concentrations found in the radish were lower.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

“If you take it orally, the bioavailability is in the range of 4–6%, which is terrible,” says Devinsky.

From Nature • Aug. 27, 2019

Ratain said food can increase or decrease the absorption rate, or bioavailability, of some drugs.

From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 2017