biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē 
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
transitive verb
Did you know?
Matter examined in a biopsy is always taken from a living organism. Most biopsies are done by using a needle to extract tissue or fluid, but some may instead require cutting, and others may amount to nothing more than swabbing the inside of the patient's cheek. Biopsies are best known as a means of detecting cancer, but a doctor may also take a biopsy of heart muscle to investigate suspected heart disease, for example, or perform a biopsy on a pregnant woman to test for disorders in the fetus.
Examples of biopsy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the eye test isn’t definitive, a biopsy may confirm the diagnosis.
—
Matt Fuchs, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
However, the singer was back in the hospital two days later with enlarged lymph nodes, which required a biopsy and would put his career at risk.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
An investigation revealed on Aug. 19, Starke performed a prostate biopsy while showing signs of impairment.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025
Researchers also took a small biopsy of each participant's tongue, to analyze genes tied to taste buds.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biopsy
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Matt Fuchs, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
However, the singer was back in the hospital two days later with enlarged lymph nodes, which required a biopsy and would put his career at risk.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
An investigation revealed on Aug. 19, Starke performed a prostate biopsy while showing signs of impairment.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025
Researchers also took a small biopsy of each participant's tongue, to analyze genes tied to taste buds.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biopsy
Cite this Entry
“Biopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biopsy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
biopsy
noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
Medical Definition
biopsy
1 of 2 noun
bi·op·sy
ˈbī-ˌäp-sē
plural biopsies
: the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from the living body
biopsy
2 of 2 transitive verb
biopsied; biopsying
: to perform a biopsy on
the intestinal polyps were removed and biopsied
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