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.

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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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

• biologically adverb
• nonbiological adjective
• nonbiologically adverb
• pseudobiological adjective
• pseudobiologically adverb
• semibiologic adjective
• semibiological adjective
• semibiologically adverb
• unbiological adjective
• unbiologically adverb

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.

Example Sentences

Some drugs represent genuine breakthroughs, based on new biological mechanisms and offering fundamentally new ways to treat diseases.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

By grouping planets based on shared features and their positions in space, they were able to identify clusters that are more likely to have been shaped by biological activity.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

A mismatch between biological and social schedules or "social jetlag" has been linked to increased heart risk.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

From an ethical standpoint, reason isn’t only a biological function, it’s what enables moral discernment, responsibility and self-governance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The regulation of genes—the selective turning on and off of certain genes in certain cells, and at certain times—must interpose a crucial layer of complexity on the unblinking nature of biological information.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• organic