bioleaching

B3I1O1L1E1A1C3H4I1N1G2

noun

The dissolution of metals from their ores by the use of microorganisms such as bacteria

OriginEnglish leaching ← Ancient Greek βῐο- (bĭo-) ← Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃- →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nounbioleaching (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe dissolution of metals from their ores by the use of microorganisms such as bacteria

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*gʷeyh₃-
  2. Ancient Greekβῐ́ος (bĭ́os)
  3. Ancient Greekβῐο- (bĭo-)
  4. Englishbio-
  5. Englishleaching
  6. Englishbioleaching

From bio- + leaching.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

bioleaching. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bioleaching

MLA

“bioleaching.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bioleaching. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bioleaching,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bioleaching.

Source: bioleaching on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.