biological
Americanadjective
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Biology. Also biologic relating to the science and application of biology.
Ideal candidates will have appropriate training in both physical and biological chemistry.
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Biology. relating to or involving living matter.
Liquid nitrogen is critical for preserving blood, tissue, and other biological specimens.
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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.
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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
adjective
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of or relating to biology
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(of a detergent) containing enzymes said to be capable of removing stains of organic origin from items to be washed
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of biological
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.
Vocabulary lists containing biological
It's All in the Family
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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The Double Helix
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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.
These compounds are involved in other biological functions, including reactions carried out by liver enzymes that help break down drugs.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
For other risks, including biological risks, more coordination between governments and other institutions on responsibly deploying capable models will be helpful.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
They came to us fragile and old, and our nurturing turned back their biological clocks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Her enslaver, Philemon T. Hambleton—who may well have been her biological father—refused to release her from servitude.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
This capacity, Beadle understood, was due to the presence of enzymes within the cell—proteins that acted as master builders and could synthesize complex biological macromolecules out of basic precursor chemicals.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
