biocompatibility: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Specialist / Very Low-FrequencyFormal, Technical, Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “biocompatibility” mean?
The property of a material being compatible with living tissue, not causing a toxic, injurious, or immunological response when in contact with a biological system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The property of a material being compatible with living tissue, not causing a toxic, injurious, or immunological response when in contact with a biological system.
The degree to which a material (e.g., a medical implant, device, or pharmaceutical) is accepted by and functions appropriately within a specific biological environment without causing harm. It extends to the evaluation of how biological systems react to foreign materials.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows the respective standard for compounds: 'bio-compatibility' (with hyphen) is an occasionally seen variant in both, but solid form dominates.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both UK and US English, confined to fields like biomedicine, materials science, and regulatory affairs.
Grammar
How to Use “biocompatibility” in a Sentence
The biocompatibility of [material/device/implant] with [tissue/organ/system][Material/Device] exhibits/showed/has [excellent/poor] biocompatibility in [tests/studies].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biocompatibility” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Researchers must *biocompatibilise* the polymer surface to reduce thrombogenicity. (very rare, technical neologism)
American English
- The coating process *biocompatibilizes* the metal stent. (very rare, technical neologism)
adverb
British English
- The scaffold performed *biocompatibly* in all in-vivo tests. (extremely rare)
American English
- The material interacted *biocompatibly* with the host tissue. (extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- The new hydrogel is highly *biocompatible* with neural tissue.
- They used a *biocompatible* adhesive for the wound closure.
American English
- The implant is made from a *biocompatible* titanium alloy.
- *Biocompatible* sutures reduce inflammation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in business contexts related to medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or biomaterials, e.g., 'The product's regulatory approval hinges on its proven biocompatibility.'
Academic
Core term in biomedical engineering, materials science, and medical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary register. Used in technical specifications, ISO standards (e.g., ISO 10993), research protocols, and regulatory documents (FDA, EMA).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “biocompatibility”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “biocompatibility”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biocompatibility”
- Using 'biocompatibility' to describe environmental friendliness (use 'eco-compatibility' or 'biodegradability').
- Pronouncing it as /baɪˈɒk.əmˌpæt.../ instead of the correct /ˌbaɪ.əʊ.kəm.../ with a secondary stress on 'bio-'.
- Using it as an adjective (the adjective is 'biocompatible').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sterility means free from microorganisms. A material can be sterile but still toxic or inflammatory (not biocompatible). Biocompatibility refers to the material's interaction with living tissue at a chemical and cellular level.
Yes. Biocompatibility is often a matter of degree and context. A material might be biocompatible with skin but not with blood, or it may cause a mild, acceptable response rather than a severe one. Terms like 'limited biocompatibility' or 'local biocompatibility' are used.
Biocompatibility means not causing harm. Biointegration is a stronger concept where the living tissue actively grows into and bonds with the material's surface (e.g., some dental implants). All biointegrated materials are biocompatible, but not all biocompatible materials are biointegrative.
In the context of medical devices and drugs, yes. Claims of biocompatibility must be substantiated with specific testing according to international standards (like ISO 10993) for regulatory approval from bodies like the FDA (US) or the EMA (EU).
The property of a material being compatible with living tissue, not causing a toxic, injurious, or immunological response when in contact with a biological system.
Biocompatibility is usually formal, technical, academic, scientific in register.
Biocompatibility: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.əʊ.kəmˌpæt.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.kəmˌpæt̬.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BIO (life) + COMPATIBILITY (ability to get along). A 'biocompatible' pacemaker gets along well with the life (body) it's placed in.
Conceptual Metaphor
MATERIALS AS GOOD/BAD NEIGHBOURS. A biocompatible material is a 'good neighbour' to living tissue, not causing trouble or starting fights (immune reactions).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is the term 'biocompatibility' used INCORRECTLY?