Biotech

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbaɪəʊˌtɛk/

Definitions

1. A sector that merges biological sciences with technological methods to produce new solutions
2. An area of study that employs living organisms and biological systems in conjunction with technology for various applications
3. A field that integrates biological knowledge with technological innovation to develop products and technologies

Etymology: "Biotech" is a clipping of "biotechnology," shortened by dropping the end of that longer word. The full term combines "bio-," from Greek "bios" meaning "life," with "technology," so the clipped form keeps the two halves that matter most: the living-science side and the tools-and-methods side. Its shape also suggests it may have been built from "bio" and "tech" directly, which is why a reader can sense both halves at a glance. The "bio" element is the older and more familiar partner here. It appears in many modern scientific compounds, while "tech" was itself a clipping of "technology" that became common in everyday speech. Put together, the clipped form reads as a single compact label for a whole field, one that merges biological research with engineering approaches to create new products and solutions.

Synonyms: biotechnology, biological technology