by-product
noun
by-prod·uct
ˈbī-ˌprä-(ˌ)dəkt 
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
Wayne GisslenSmall 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
January W. PayneMeat by-products are parts other than meat, including organs, blood and bone …—Amy D. Shojai
Amy D. ShojaiAmong the most commonly occurring and thoroughly studied chlorination byproducts are trihalomethanes …—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports2
: 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
Jane JacobsAs investor confidence grows, overspending and overborrowing are typically byproducts of an aging bull market.—Carolyn Bigda
Carolyn BigdaOne of the by-products of the information age is an increasing number of data formats.—John Was
John WasSynonyms
Examples of by-product in a Sentence
hydrogen is one by-product of that chemical reaction
Recent Examples on the Web
The two most recent were the rejection of Lewis Strauss as secretary of commerce, in part a by-product of Strauss’ rivalry with J. Robert Oppenheimer, and of President George H.W. Bush’s nomination of former Senator John Tower as secretary of defense, ostensibly because of problems with alcohol.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024
The hope was that by strengthening brand awareness and affinity, business growth becomes a happy by-product.
—Beth Ann Kaminkow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Black liquor is a by-product of the paper production process, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
One study suggested that some air purifiers could even create formaldehyde as a by-product.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024
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George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024
The hope was that by strengthening brand awareness and affinity, business growth becomes a happy by-product.
—Beth Ann Kaminkow, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Black liquor is a by-product of the paper production process, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
One study suggested that some air purifiers could even create formaldehyde as a by-product.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by-product
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 30 Dec. 2024.
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