Word
byproduct
Phoneticsbyprod·uct
US/ˈbaɪpɹɑdəkt/
UK/bˈaɪpɹədˌʌkt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something that is made or happens while you are trying to make or do something else. It is an extra result that you did not plan for.
n. a secondary or incidental product resulting from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction; by extension, any unintended consequence of an action.
Examples
“Heat is a byproduct of using this machine.”
“The new highway was built for travel, but a positive byproduct was the growth of local businesses along the route.”
“While the software was designed purely for data encryption, its high processing speed became a valuable byproduct that attracted interest from the gaming industry.”
Examples
simple
“Heat is a byproduct of using this machine.”
contextual
“The new highway was built for travel, but a positive byproduct was the growth of local businesses along the route.”
complex
“While the software was designed purely for data encryption, its high processing speed became a valuable byproduct that attracted interest from the gaming industry.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the primary process or source.
Real-World Examples
“The only byproduct of the setup is pure water – which Lorde and other artists who perform there will be invited to sample at the end of their gigs.” “Mendes compares the action of the microbiome, a collection of microorganisms and their byproducts, to that of the human immune system.” Etymology
From by- + product.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/byproduct