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

Example Sentences

Fears of widespread disruption from artificial intelligence recently reached a tipping point, hitting stocks in industries as disparate as freight, insurance, asset management, healthcare, real estate and even biotechnology.

From MarketWatch

Danaher is a maker of tools and equipment for the biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostic industries.

From Barron's

Danaher, with a market value of over $150 billion, makes a range of products used for advances in biotechnology, life sciences and diagnostics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beijing’s last five-year plan included a focus on biotechnology, as an example, and China is now rising quickly in novel biopharma IP and clinical trials, often outpacing Western rivals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Aaron’s work as a reporter includes a stint covering the emerging sciences of biotechnology, stem-cell research and the field of human fertility for the Los Angeles Times.

From The Wall Street Journal