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

The Human Animal was lavishly filmed in exotic locations, showing diverse customs and suggesting their common biological roots.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

“Our biological destiny is to have babies,” she wrote.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

The results showed that the electrical spikes matched key biological properties, including their timing and duration.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

Scientists describe this as a "double jeopardy," where both environmental stress and biological demands are working against them.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

By this, I mean the following: if you consider the major questions raging through the biological sciences in the late nineteenth century, heredity does not rank particularly high on that list.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• organic