biotechnology
[ bahy-oh-tek-nol-uh-jee ]
/ ˌbaɪ oʊ tɛkˈnɒl ə dʒi /
noun
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.
Compare
human engineering.
Origin of biotechnology
First recorded in 1940–45;
bio- +
technology
OTHER WORDS FROM biotechnology
bi·o·tech·ni·cal [bahy-oh-tek-ni-kuh l] /ˌbaɪ oʊˈtɛk nɪ kəl/, bi·o·tech·no·log·i·cal [bahy-oh-tek-nl-oj-i-kuh l] /ˌbaɪ oʊˌtɛk nlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjective bi·o·tech·no·log·i·cal·ly, adverb bi·o·tech·nol·o·gist, nounWords nearby biotechnology
biot's respiration,
biot-savart law,
biota,
biotech,
biotech.,
biotechnology,
biotelemetry,
bioterrorism,
biotherapy,
biotic,
biotic factor
Example sentences from the Web for biotechnology
British Dictionary definitions for biotechnology
biotechnology
/ (ˌbaɪəʊtɛkˈnɒlədʒɪ) /
noun
(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
another name for ergonomics
Derived forms of biotechnology
biotechnological (ˌbaɪəʊˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective biotechnologically, adverb biotechnologist, nounMedical definitions for biotechnology
biotechnology
[ bī′ō-tĕk-nŏl′ə-jē ]
n.
The use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs.
The application of the principles of engineering and technology to the life sciences.
Scientific definitions for biotechnology
biotechnology
[ bī′ō-tĕk-nŏl′ə-jē ]
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.
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. See more at genetic engineering.