Biomass

Definitions

1. The total mass of a living thing or a part thereof (such as a cell).
   uncountable, usually
2. The total mass of all, or a specified category of, living things within a specific area, habitat, etc.
   uncountable, usually
3. Organic matter from living things which were recently alive (especially vegetation) used as a fuel or source of energy, especially if cultivated for that purpose; also, fuel produced from such organic matter; biofuel.
   uncountable, usually

Equivalents

Examples

“Since protein constitutes the majority of the biomass of a cell, building new protein is a major way that cells increase⟳ their size.”

“In the untouched Shangri-la-like Kingman Reef in the Line Islands in the central Pacific, sharks make⟳ up 75 per cent of the fish⟳ biomass.”

“Advanced technologies such as gasifier/gas turbine systems for electric power generation and fuel cells for transportation make⟳ it possible for biomass to provide⟳ a substantial share⟳ of world energy in the decades ahead, at competitive costs.”

“Among the key contracts she works on is the supply⟳ of coal and biomass to Drax power station and extensive rail operations for British Steel.”

“All vegetation and tree stumps were sent to a local recycling facility to be turned into biomass.”

CEFR level