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bioaccumulate

British  
/ ˌbaɪəʊəˈkjuːmʊˌleɪt /

verb

  1. (of substances, esp toxins) to build up within the tissues of organisms

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • bioaccumulation noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s really concerning when you think about flame retardants, because they’re known to bioaccumulate in our bodies,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2024

There’s also evidence that these small particles bioaccumulate, or grow more concentrated as they move up the food chain from one organism to the next.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2024

Toxic dyes can also bioaccumulate in the fishes' fatty tissue, presenting health risks to humans and animals throughout the food chain.

From Science Daily • Oct. 26, 2023

The treaty identifies "persistent" chemicals — those that stay in the environment for a long time and can bioaccumulate up the food chain.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2021

These plastic fibers have the potential to bioaccumulate, concentrating toxins in the bodies of larger animals, higher up the food chain.

From The Guardian • Jun. 20, 2016