biochemical

American  

[bahy-oh-kem-i-kuhl] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈkɛm ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. Rarely biochemic of or relating to the science dealing with the chemistry of living matter.

   Accurate biochemical results depend on maintaining the integrity of blood samples until analyses can be completed.

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noun

1. a chemical existing in or obtained from living matter, or used in processes dealing with living matter.

   All the substances mentioned are biochemicals present in the human body.

Other Word Forms

• biochemically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of biochemical

bio- ( def. ) + chemical ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's biochemical relates to chemical processes that occur in living beings, like the chemical reactions in your body. You're most likely to come across the word biochemical in a science class. Biochemical processes occur in living organisms. For example, the way your body converts food into energy is biochemical, as is the way your body fights disease and responds to drugs. The word biochemistry comes from the German biochemisch, and both words combine the Greek bio, "one's life," and chemical, "relating to chemistry."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biochemical

Living cells carry out complex biochemical reactions with exceptional efficiency and precision.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026

Identifying the biochemical pathways behind them is therefore essential for producing these compounds on a larger scale and applying them to real-world problems.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

Shapses said she wants to better understand issues such as circadian rhythm, inflammation, metabolic health, and the biochemical issues that help the body sense and respond to food.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

The findings suggest that blocking anthocyanin production redirected the plant's biochemical activity toward the buildup of these other compounds within the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026

At the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Marshall Nirenberg, Heinrich Matthaei, and Philip Leder used a biochemical approach to try to crack the cipher.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee