biochemical oxygen demand
noun
the oxygen required by aerobic organisms, as those in sewage, for metabolism. Abbreviation: BOD
Also called
biological oxygen demand.
Origin of biochemical oxygen demand
First recorded in 1925–30
Words nearby biochemical oxygen demand
biocatalyst,
biocellate,
biocenology,
biocenosis,
biocentric,
biochemical oxygen demand,
biochemical pathways,
biochemical profile,
biochemistry,
biochip,
biocidal
British Dictionary definitions for biochemical oxygen demand
biochemical oxygen demand
noun
a measure of the organic pollution of water: the amount of oxygen, in mg per litre of water, absorbed by a sample kept at 20°C for five days
Abbreviation: BOD
Medical definitions for biochemical oxygen demand
biochemical oxygen demand
n.
The amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample of water and used as a measure of the degree of water pollution.
biological oxygen demand
Scientific definitions for biochemical oxygen demand
biochemical oxygen demand
[ bī′ō-kĕm′ĭ-kəl ]
The amount of oxygen required by aerobic microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in a sample of water, such as one polluted by sewage. It is used as a measure of the degree of water pollution.