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
One difficult moment for Becca came when Harper had to undergo a kidney biopsy, which required surgery to have a port put in her chest.
—
Jordan Greene, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
The researchers also collected saliva, urine, blood samples, and muscle biopsies from the participants’ legs to measure myofibrillar protein breakdown (MPB), which shows whether muscles are gaining or losing protein.
—Julia Ries, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Healthcare providers use exams, imaging tests, and biopsies to diagnose ovarian cancer.
—Julie Scott, Msn, Anp-Bc, Aocnp, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025
For Flores, who is facing significant health concerns—including uterine fibroids, a pending biopsy for colorectal cancer, and dental issues caused by severe anxiety and depression—the note felt like a reassuring sign.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
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Jordan Greene, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
The researchers also collected saliva, urine, blood samples, and muscle biopsies from the participants’ legs to measure myofibrillar protein breakdown (MPB), which shows whether muscles are gaining or losing protein.
—Julia Ries, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Healthcare providers use exams, imaging tests, and biopsies to diagnose ovarian cancer.
—Julie Scott, Msn, Anp-Bc, Aocnp, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025
For Flores, who is facing significant health concerns—including uterine fibroids, a pending biopsy for colorectal cancer, and dental issues caused by severe anxiety and depression—the note felt like a reassuring sign.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 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 27 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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