A byproduct is something that is produced during the manufacturing or production of something else, but is not the primary or intended product. Byproducts can be either useful or useless, and their value depends on the specific circumstances. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of the word “byproduct.”
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a byproduct is “something that is produced during the process of making or doing something else and that is usually considered to have less value than the main product.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a secondary or incidental product of a manufacturing process or chemical reaction.”
Origin
The word “byproduct” originated from the combination of two words: “by” and “product.” “By” means “through” or “as a result of,” while “product” means “something produced.” The word was first used in the 1850s to describe secondary products of manufacturing processes.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of “byproduct” is consistent across different dictionaries. It is generally defined as a secondary or incidental product of a manufacturing process or chemical reaction that is of less value than the main product.
Associations
Byproducts are often associated with waste or excess materials that are generated during the production of a primary product. However, byproducts can also be valuable and useful, such as the production of animal feed from the byproducts of grain processing.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of byproduct include: secondary product, incidental product, leftover, residue, waste, and offshoot.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of byproduct, as it is a specific term that describes a secondary product of a manufacturing process. However, some related antonyms include: primary product, main product, and intended product.
The same root words
There are no other words that share the same root words as “byproduct.”
Example Sentences
- The company’s primary product was paper, but they also produced a byproduct of sawdust that was sold to local farmers for animal bedding.
- The production of biodiesel results in a valuable byproduct of glycerin.
- The byproduct of the manufacturing process was toxic waste that needed to be disposed of properly.
- The brewery’s byproduct of spent grain was donated to local farmers for use as animal feed.
- The company’s research and development department discovered a new use for the byproduct of their manufacturing process, which increased profits for the company.