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Synonyms

biological

American  
[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl] / ˌbaɪ əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

adjective

  1. Biology. Also biologic relating to the science and application of biology.

    Ideal candidates will have appropriate training in both physical and biological chemistry.

  2. Biology. relating to or involving living matter.

    Liquid nitrogen is critical for preserving blood, tissue, and other biological specimens.

  3. Biology. relating to the living organisms of a region.

    We are hoping to manage the river valley so that we maintain and enhance the current level of biological diversity.

  4. Biology, Genetics. related genetically, as a birth parent whose egg or sperm contributed to the DNA of a child.

    He met his biological father when he was 37.

    The Greenes have two biological sons and one adopted daughter.


noun

  1. Pharmacology. Usually biologicals. biologic.

biological British  
/ ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to biology

  2. (of a detergent) containing enzymes said to be capable of removing stains of organic origin from items to be washed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. (usually plural) a drug, such as a vaccine, that is derived from a living organism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of biological

First recorded in 1855–60; biolog(y) + -ical

Explanation

When you use the word biological, you're talking about life and living things. You'll recognize the root "bio-," meaning "life," as in biography — the story of someone's life — and biology — the study of living organisms. The woman who gave birth to you is your biological mother — she's passed her genes on to you and you're related to her, even if somebody else raised you. Anybody you share genes with is your biological relative. Biological cleaning products make use of natural enzymes, and they're supposed to be safe and non-toxic. On the other hand, biological warfare uses bacteria, viruses, and other naturally occurring poisons to injure and kill people.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing biological

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:

The new research points to a possible biological mechanism connecting chronic gum disease and infection with the development of CAVS.

From Science Daily Jul. 13, 2026

It combined biological research conducted by Dr. Shahid Khan during his doctoral studies with computational and statistical analysis developed by Dr. Satyaki Roy, professor of mathematical sciences, along with contributions from graduate student Owen Trippany.

From Science Daily Jul. 12, 2026

Its advantage isn’t that AI reasons better than humans, she says, but rather that it can absorb and draw on vastly more biological knowledge than any individual researcher.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 12, 2026

This approach produced a model that more closely reflects the biological environment that develops after a joint injury.

From Science Daily Jul. 12, 2026

This does not mean that Homo sapiens and human culture became exempt from biological laws.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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