by-product

noun

by-prod·​uct ˈbī-ˌprä-(ˌ)dəkt How to pronounce by-product (audio)
variants or byproduct
plural by-products or byproducts
1
: something produced in a usually industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product
Sulfured molasses is a by-product of sugar refining.Wayne Gisslen
Small amounts of amyloid beta are generated as an ordinary metabolic byproduct and are believed to do no harm, but larger amounts seem to be tied to Alzheimer's.January W. Payne
Meat by-products are parts other than meat, including organs, blood and bone …Amy D. Shojai
Among the most commonly occurring and thoroughly studied chlorination byproducts are trihalomethanes …Consumer Reports
2
: a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended result
Japan's success as an international exporter of manufactured goods is a by-product of the volatile trade among Japanese cities.Jane Jacobs
As investor confidence grows, overspending and overborrowing are typically byproducts of an aging bull market.Carolyn Bigda
One of the by-products of the information age is an increasing number of data formats.John Was

Examples of by-product in a Sentence

hydrogen is one by-product of that chemical reaction
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.
Apparently, all this is fine, the unfortunate, acceptable by-product of a city where people in cars and people without them mix. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2024 This decrease is partly due to higher by-product credits. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 Soaked by several days of rain, the by-product of a nearby typhoon, the Tokyo International Film Festival and its accompanying TIFFCOM industry event might have been forgiven for being a little soggy. Patrick Frater, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024 There, the principles of sustainability form a positive feedback loop, especially in the bar’s commitment to incorporating by-products of the various drink-making processes into other cocktails. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for by-product 

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of by-product was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near by-product

Cite this Entry

“By-product.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by-product. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

by-product

noun
by-prod·​uct
ˈbī-ˌpräd-(ˌ)əkt
: a product or result produced in addition to the main product or result

More from Merriam-Webster on by-product

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!