biosensor

noun

bio·​sen·​sor ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˈsen-ˌsȯr 

-ˈsen(t)-sər

: a device that monitors and transmits information about a life process

especially : a device consisting of a biological component (such as an enzyme or bacterium) that reacts with a target substance and an electrochemical or optical component that detects the resulting products or by-products and emits a signal

Examples of biosensor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But this year, Dexcom and Abbott, the two major makers of CGMs, introduced biosensors for people who don’t use insulin, available without a prescription and for about $89 a month out of pocket. —Meg Tirrell, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Gene editing biosensors—shifting a technology from use for people to wildlife to detect the white-nose syndrome’s pathogen by swabbing a bat’s skin. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

The company’s tiny biosensor — which is not currently FDA-approved — connects to a smartphone to offer users a plethora of health data, including blood sugar levels. —Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2024

Zoom in: The two will launch integrations that let data flow between Dexcom glucose biosensors and the Ōura ring, and their respective apps. —Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

biosensor

noun

bio·​sen·​sor ˈbī-ō-ˌsen-ˌsȯ(ə)r, -ˌsen(t)-sər 

: a device that monitors and transmits information about a life process

especially : a device consisting of a biological component (such as an enzyme or bacterium) that reacts with a target substance and an electrochemical or optical component that detects the resulting products or by-products and emits a signal

New biosensors that can sniff out traces of the explosives RDX and TNT may be used to help clean up old munitions sites.

—Science News