Biotechnologies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The branch of biological science that utilizes living organisms or their systems to develop products and technologies
2. A field focused on the manipulation of biological materials for innovations in healthcare and agriculture
3. The application of cellular and biomolecular processes to create products and solutions benefiting various industries

Etymology: The plural "biotechnologies" is simply the plural of "biotechnology," so the real story is in the singular, which is a compound built from two Greek-derived pieces. The first, "bio-," comes from Ancient Greek "bíos," meaning "life," and entered English as a combining form. The second, "technology," comes from Ancient Greek "tekhnología," literally a systematic account of a craft or art, built from "tekhnē" (skill, craft) and "-logía" (the study or discussion of something). Put together, "biotechnology" joins the idea of living systems with the idea of applied skill. The word is a modern coinage, formed from "bio-" and "technology" in English rather than in classical Greek, so ancient writers never used it. The plural form, which the rule for count nouns allows, is used when people refer to multiple distinct fields or applications within the broader discipline.

Synonyms: biotech, genetic engineering, biomedical, bioengineering, life sciences