biopsy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical, formal, technical
Quick answer
What does “biopsy” mean?
A medical procedure where a sample of tissue is removed from a living body for examination to determine the presence, cause, or extent of a disease, most commonly cancer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical procedure where a sample of tissue is removed from a living body for examination to determine the presence, cause, or extent of a disease, most commonly cancer.
Figuratively, any detailed, close examination of a small part to understand the nature of the whole; also, the act of taking such a sample.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or use. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA). Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects—carries the serious connotation of a medical investigation for potential disease.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects within medical and health-related contexts; rare in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “biopsy” in a Sentence
The doctor performed a biopsy on the lesion.They biopsied the lymph node.A biopsy of the mass was taken.The tissue was sent for biopsy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biopsy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The consultant decided to biopsy the abnormal area during the colonoscopy.
- If the mole changes, they will need to biopsy it.
American English
- The surgeon biopsied several lymph nodes during the procedure.
- We should biopsy that lump to rule out malignancy.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. No standard adverbial form.
American English
- Not applicable. No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The biopsy results were inconclusive.
- We are awaiting the biopsy report.
American English
- The biopsy procedure was quick and minimally invasive.
- The biopsy sample was sent to the pathology lab.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and clinical research papers.
Everyday
Used in personal health discussions ("The doctor ordered a biopsy.").
Technical
The primary context. Describes specific procedures (e.g., punch biopsy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biopsy”
- Using it as a synonym for any blood test or scan. A biopsy specifically involves removing tissue.
- Incorrect plural: "biopsys" instead of "biopsies."
- Misspelling as "biopcy" or "biospsy."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly associated with cancer diagnosis, biopsies are also used to diagnose various other conditions like infections, inflammatory diseases (e.g., hepatitis, coeliac disease), and autoimmune disorders.
Not necessarily. It is a standard diagnostic tool. A doctor may order a biopsy to rule out serious conditions or to confirm a benign diagnosis. It is a step towards finding an answer, not a diagnosis in itself.
A biopsy is performed on living tissue to diagnose disease. An autopsy (or post-mortem) is an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death.
Yes, in medical contexts it is common and correct to use 'biopsy' as a verb (e.g., 'The surgeon will biopsy the lesion').
A medical procedure where a sample of tissue is removed from a living body for examination to determine the presence, cause, or extent of a disease, most commonly cancer.
Biopsy is usually medical, formal, technical in register.
Biopsy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.ɒp.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪ.ɑːp.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A biopsy of public opinion.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BIO (life) + OPSY (like in autopsy, but on the living). A biopsy is an examination of living tissue.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WINDOW INTO THE BODY (the sample provides a view of the internal state). A MICROSCOPIC DETECTIVE (searching for clues to disease).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a biopsy?