biotechnology

American  

[bahy-oh-tek-nol-uh-jee] / ˌbaɪ oʊ tɛkˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the use of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of drugs or other products or for environmental management, as in waste recycling: includes the use of bioreactors in manufacturing, microorganisms to degrade oil slicks or organic waste, genetically engineered bacteria to produce human hormones, and monoclonal antibodies to identify antigens.

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biotechnology British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌbaɪəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. (in industry) the technique of using microorganisms, such as bacteria, to perform chemical processing, such as waste recycling, or to produce other materials, such as beer and wine, cheese, antibiotics, and (using genetic engineering) hormones, vaccines, etc

2. another name for ergonomics

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biotechnology Scientific  

/ bī′ō-tĕk-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The use of a living organism to solve an engineering problem or perform an industrial task. Using bacteria that feed on hydrocarbons to clean up an oil spill is one example of biotechnology.

2. The use of biological substances or techniques to engineer or manufacture a product or substance, as when cells that produce antibodies are cloned in order to study their effects on cancer cells.

3. See more at genetic engineering

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Other Word Forms

• biotechnical
  adjective
• biotechnological
  adjective
• biotechnologically
  adverb
• biotechnologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of biotechnology

First recorded in 1940–45; bio- + technology

Explanation

Biotechnology may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it's a real area of science that deals with the overlap of engineering and biology. The Greek root bio- means "life," so biotechnology is "life technology" — technology that uses living things in products or processes, or that which focuses on designing things to benefit humans (living things) biologically. Vaccines, genetically modified foods, biofuels, and DNA fingerprinting are all examples of biotechnology. Ergonomics — designing equipment that reduces workers' discomfort, stress, or fatigue — is also often considered a branch of biotechnology, as it's technology developed to make our lives better from a biological perspective.

Example Sentences

As someone who’s being kept alive this very month by incredible advances in biotechnology, I am a zealous proponent for disruptive innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The research, which included scientists from the University of Galway, found that coral reefs are home to a wide range of microbes that produce chemicals with strong potential for use in medicine and biotechnology.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2026

If successful and adopted widely, the new approach could speed drug development and help the U.S. compete with other nations making a strong push into biotechnology, officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Beijing has also widened pilot opening measures in sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, biotechnology and education — areas that fit neatly with Hainan’s effort to reinvent itself.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

The story went on to say, “The federal government is permitting a California biotechnology company to license three experimental cancer drugs from Cuba—making an exception to the policy of tightly restricting trade with that country.”

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman