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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• bioavailable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bioavailability

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bioavailability

Alongside being expensive to produce, it also has poor bioavailability compared with injectable semaglutide.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026

“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

Of the many carotenoids found in nature, beta-carotene is the star player: a strong orange tint and high "bioavailability" — the term used to describe drug absorption — make it particularly influential.

From Salon ● Jan. 20, 2025

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

From Nature ● Aug. 27, 2019

“Use of food as a way to increase bioavailability in patients with cancer could present problems and risks,” the drug's manufacturer, Janssen, said in a statement.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 8, 2017