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

The breakthrough not only resolves a long-standing biochemical puzzle, but also points toward cleaner, more efficient methods for producing pharmaceuticals.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Until now, researchers studying this system relied largely on biochemical experiments and computer modeling to infer how the mechanism worked.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Valor is building its first processing facility in Houston, on the property of biochemical producer Solugen, whose founders are also investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

While both drugs target the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enzyme to prevent viral replication, they do so through entirely different biochemical pathways.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 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