definitions

biology

[ bahy-ol-uh-jee ]
/ baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR biology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior.
the living organisms of a region: the biology of Pennsylvania.
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.

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RELATED WORDS

ecology, anthropology, medicine, zoology, physics, division, dissection, analysis, investigation, examination, diagnosis, inquiry, cytology, genetics, etiology, histology, morphology, embryology, physiology, botany

Nearby words

biological vector, biological warfare, biologics, biologism, biologist, biology, bioluminescence, biolysis, biolytic, biomagnetism, biomagnification

Origin of biology

From the German word Biologie, dating back to 1805–15. See bio-, -logy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for biology

British Dictionary definitions for biology

biology

/ (baɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of living organisms, including their structure, functioning, evolution, distribution, and interrelationships
the structure, functioning, etc, of a particular organism or group of organisms
the animal and plant life of a particular region

Derived Forms

biologist, noun
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

Medicine definitions for biology

biology

[ bī-ŏl′ə-jē ]

n.

The science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. It includes botany and zoology.
The life processes or characteristic phenomena of a group or category of living organisms.

Related forms

bi•ol′o•gist n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for biology

biology

[ bī-ŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of life and of living organisms. Botany, zoology, and ecology are all branches of biology.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for biology

biology

The study of life and living systems.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.