synthetic biology

American

[sin-thet-ik bahy-ol-uh-jee] / sɪnˈθɛt ɪk baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

the development and application of scientific methods to create or redesign biological organisms and systems using lab-made DNA.

synthetic biology British

noun

the application of computer science techniques to create artificial biological systems

"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 synthetic biology

First recorded in 1910–15

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.

Ultimately, it could also be used in synthetic biology and the design of new sequences of DNA which could be used in gene therapies.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Ben Lamm, the 43-year old who co-founded Colossal with synthetic biology pioneer George Church, a 70-year old genetics professor at Harvard and MIT, understands that ultimately, no press is bad press.

From Salon • May 15, 2025

"By demonstrating that evolution is not as random as we once thought, we've opened the door to an array of possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science."

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2024

A groundbreaking new technique invented by researchers at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science may revolutionize the field of synthetic biology.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

With a clear analysis of issues ranging from Jefferson's philosophy of innovation to musical sampling, synthetic biology and Internet file sharing, this timely book brings a positive new perspective to important cultural and legal debates.

From The Public Domain Enclosing the Commons of the Mind by Boyle, James

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