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biopsy Meaning & Definition

/ˈbaɪɑpsi/

What Does Biopsy Mean?

Biopsy is used as a noun meaning The removal and examination of a sample of tissue, cells, or bodily fluid from a living body for diagnostic purposes. As a verb, it means To take a sample (a biopsy) for pathological examination.

Biopsy at a Glance

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈbaɪɑpsi/
Pluralbiopsies
Verb formsbiopsies, biopsying, biopsied

Biopsy Definition (Noun)

  1. The removal and examination of a sample of tissue, cells, or bodily fluid from a living body for diagnostic purposes.

    We will need to perform a biopsy to determine whether the tumour is malignant or benign.

Biopsy as a Verb

  1. To take a sample (a biopsy) for pathological examination.

    They biopsied the lump but it turned out to be non-cancerous.

Synonyms of Biopsy

The source does not list synonyms for this entry.

Biopsy synonyms and antonyms →

Biopsy in a Sentence

We will need to perform a biopsy to determine whether the tumour is malignant or benign.

They biopsied the lump but it turned out to be non-cancerous.

Word Forms & Grammar

biopsy (plural biopsies)

biopsy (third-person singular simple present biopsies, present participle biopsying, simple past and past participle biopsied)

Origin of Biopsy

From French biopsie, from bi- +‎ -opsy.

Biopsy: Your Questions Answered

Is biopsy a noun or a verb?

Biopsy is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is the plural of biopsy?

The plural of biopsy is biopsies.

What is the past tense of biopsy?

The past tense of biopsy is biopsied. The present participle is biopsying.

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