Definition of "bioremediation" [bi•o•re•me•di•a•tion]

• The use of biological agents, such as bacteria or plants, to remove or neutralize contaminants, as in polluted soil or water. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Botto said he hopes the same process, called bioremediation, could help protect the Gulf coastline."
• "BP has a team set up to evaluate different proposals around chemical solutions or bioremediation, which is using natural microorganisms that can digest oil to speed up natural processes."
• "Using bacteria to clean up an oil slick is called bioremediation and is practised in many parts of the world."