biomass

noun

1. (uncountable, usually)The total mass of a living thing or a part thereof (such as a cell).

   “Since protein constitutes the majority of the biomass of a cell, building new protein is a major way that cells increase their size.”

2. (uncountable, usually)The total mass of all, or a specified category of, living things within a specific area, habitat, etc.

   “In the untouched Shangri-la-like Kingman Reef in the Line Islands in the central Pacific, sharks make up 75 per cent of the fish biomass.”

3. (uncountable, usually)Organic matter from living things which were recently alive (especially vegetation) used as a fuel or source of energy, especially if cultivated for that purpose; also, fuel produced from such organic matter; biofuel.

   “Advanced technologies such as gasifier/gas turbine systems for electric power generation and fuel cells for transportation make it possible for biomass to provide a substantial share of world energy in the decades ahead, at competitive costs.”

   “Among the key contracts she works on is the supply of coal and biomass to Drax power station and extensive rail operations for British Steel.”

   “All vegetation and tree stumps were sent to a local recycling facility to be turned into biomass.”