Biotechnology
noun
noun ·6 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The use of living organisms (especially microorganisms) in industrial, agricultural, medical and other technological applications. uncountable, usually
"Japan's strength lies in more traditional biotechnology such as fermentation."
- 2 the branch of engineering science in which biological science is used to study the relation between workers and their environments wordnet
- 3 The application of the principles and practices of engineering and technology to the life sciences. uncountable, usually
"Agricultural biotechnology comprises a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to modify and improve plants, animals and microorganisms for human profit. Agricultural biotechnologies are not a substitute for conventional plant and animal breeding, but can be a powerful complement to improving the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production."
- 4 the branch of molecular biology that studies the use of microorganisms to perform specific industrial processes wordnet
- 5 genetic engineering uncountable, usually
Example
More examples"Biotechnology will bring about a revolution in agriculture."
Etymology
From bio- + technology.
Related phrases
More for "biotechnology"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.