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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.

A house mother provides the kind of love, care and parental support that so many of the house’s children weren’t fortunate enough to receive from their biological parents.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

Because chronic inflammation is one of the major biological features of aging, the reduction in inflammation was especially important.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

Researchers at the University of Rochester showed that one of those biological advantages can be moved into another mammal.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

Rana stopped coming to the office at the end of 2024 and told the bank that his father had died, even though his biological father had not, according to a person close to JPMorgan.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

His instinctive genius lay in unearthing patterns—systems of organization—that lay behind the specimens; not in Kingdoms and Orders, but in kingdoms of order that ran through the biological world.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee