biochemistry

American  

[bahy-oh-kem-uh-stree] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈkɛm ə stri /

noun

1. the science dealing with the chemistry of living matter.

2. the chemistry of living matter.

---

biochemistry British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈkɛmɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the study of the chemical compounds, reactions, etc, occurring in living organisms

---

biochemistry Scientific  

/ bī′ō-kĕm′ĭ-strē /

1. The scientific study of the chemical composition of living matter and of the chemical processes that go on in living organisms.

---

biochemistry Cultural  

1. The study of the structure and interactions of the complex organic molecules (see also organic molecule) found in living systems.

---

Other Word Forms

• biochemic adjective
• biochemical adjective
• biochemically adverb
• biochemist noun

Etymology

Origin of biochemistry

First recorded in 1880–85; bio- + chemistry

Example Sentences

Arie Haagen-Smit was from the Netherlands, and at Caltech he researched plant biochemistry.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

This gives short shrift to the foundational curriculum in genetics, biochemistry, biostatistics and epidemiology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

That question led Aristeidis Telonis, Ph.D., a research assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School, to investigate whether environmental and social conditions leave detectable biological signals in tumors.

From Science Daily • Dec. 30, 2025

Despite having no formal scientific training, Lorenzo's father, Augusto, studied medicine and biochemistry and concocted a potential treatment for ALD using acids from olive and rapeseed oils.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025

So the fact that he did not have to teach me nucleic-acid biochemistry was obviously a godsend.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson