bio
noun
bio
1 American
[bahy-oh]
/ ˈbaɪ oʊ /
adjective
-
biological.
a bio control service using praying mantises to reduce the population of garden pests.
bio-
2
American
bio-
1
British
combining form
-
indicating or involving life or living organisms
biogenesis
biolysis
-
indicating a human life or career
biography
biopic
bio
2
British
/ ˈbaɪəʊ /
noun
Usage
What does bio- mean? The combining form bio- is used like a prefix meaning “life.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. The form bio- comes from Greek bíos, meaning “life.” The Latin cognate of bíos is vīta, “life,” which is the source of words such as vital. Find out more at our entry for vital. What are variants of bio-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, bio- becomes bi-, as in biome. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for bi-.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bio1
1945–50; by shortening; as adj., independent use of bio-, taken as a free form
Origin of bio-2
Combining form of Greek bíos life; akin to Latin vīvus living, Sanskrit jīvas. See quick
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“I am open to new challenges in any industry and push myself hard to reach every goal set for myself,” Gonzalez wrote in his LinkedIn bio.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
He has been an adjunct law professor at Catholic University, according to his Justice Department bio.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Six months before the novel’s publication, Erskine had drafted the author bio for the book jacket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Mayor Richard Riordan, according to his company bio.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
I hadn’t spoken a single word to him since the day I’d seen him in bio, and for the first time in a month, I had a real opportunity to study him.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
Model integrity and security are a concern if government agencies end up using AIs to explore bio- and cyberweapons tech.
From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2024
Regulations that rely on static lists struggle to keep pace with fields as fast-moving as bio- and cybersecurity.
From Slate ● Mar. 17, 2017
“This prototype can be scaled up,” says Peter Peumans, director of bio- and nanoelectronics at imec.
From Nature ● Jul. 17, 2013
Then, after revealing his fear of bio- or nuclear terrorism, he went on to talk about technology in education.
From Forbes ● Jul. 16, 2013
But in our own days schoolmasters see the advantage of relying solely on the free play of tendencies and bio- psychological laws.
From Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri
You can learn more and vote here, plus read some delightful bios on the bears in the running or peruse its hall of champions.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
They, too, are using dating apps, subtly hinting at their sexual orientation by including their preferred pronouns in their bios and opening up their profiles to be viewed by the same sex.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026
Sure, there are arguments for using A.I. to write bios.
From Slate ● Jan. 7, 2026
Here are four names and their Cliff’s Notes bios to get you started.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2024
“Now, everyone, please remain in your seats. We’ll get this panel going shortly, and we have some pretty incredible guests,” he began, before reciting the bios of the three speakers from memory, grinning wide.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
