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biology

American  
[bahy-ol-uh-jee] / baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

  1. the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior.

  2. the living organisms of a region.

    the biology of Pennsylvania.

  3. the biological phenomena characteristic of an organism or a group of organisms.

    She is studying the biology of worms, especially in regard to their reproductive behavior.


biology British  
/ baɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

  1. the study of living organisms, including their structure, functioning, evolution, distribution, and interrelationships

  2. the structure, functioning, etc, of a particular organism or group of organisms

  3. the animal and plant life of a particular region

"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

biology Scientific  
/ bī-ŏlə-jē /
  1. The scientific study of life and of living organisms. Botany, zoology, and ecology are all branches of biology.


biology Cultural  
  1. The study of life and living systems.


Other Word Forms

  • biologist noun

Etymology

Origin of biology

From the German word Biologie, dating back to 1805–15. See bio-, -logy

Compare meaning

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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.

Rats share many key aspects of mammalian biology and can be raised under tightly controlled conditions, including identical diets.

From Science Daily

By demonstrating that dinosaur eggshells can reliably record geologic time, the study creates a new connection between biology and Earth science and provides researchers with a valuable tool for dating fossil sites worldwide.

From Science Daily

It might also be worth remembering some basics of human biology.

From Salon

The report is based on two years of testing the abilities of more than 30 unnamed advanced AIs - covering areas critical to security, including cyber skills, chemistry and biology.

From BBC

Addiction is a complex disorder with intermingled roots in genetics, biology and environmental triggers.

From Los Angeles Times