bioethics

noun

bio·​eth·​ics ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˈe-thiks How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: a discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications especially in medicine
bioethical
ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˈe-thi-kəl How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
adjective
bioethicist
ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˈe-thə-sist How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
noun

Examples of bioethics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rafael Escandon is a bioethics consultant in Washington. — Amy Caruso Brown, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026 The reach of Frankenstein is such that it is still directly referenced and quoted in philosophy and bioethics publications today. — Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025 And people who are eager to lose extra weight — before a wedding or a vacation, for example — may choose to self-administer a higher-than-recommended dose, said Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. — Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bioethics was in 1970

Rhymes for bioethics

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Browse Nearby Words

bioethanol
bioethics
biofacies
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Cite this Entry

“Bioethics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioethics. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

bioethics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
bio·​eth·​ics -ˈeth-iks How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
: the discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications especially in medicine
bioethic
-ˈeth-ik How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
noun
bioethical
-ˈeth-i-kəl How to pronounce bioethics (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bioethics

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bioethics

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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