# byproduct

/ˈbaɪpɹɑdəkt/ (US) · /bˈaɪpɹədˌʌkt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/byproduct
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the primary process or source.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.