biology

[ bahy-ol-uh-jee ]

/ baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /

Save This Word!

See 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.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of biology

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

Words nearby biology

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use biology in a sentence

Gunnar and others hope to reveal more of the underlying biology behind the reboot.
Puberty can repair the brain’s stress responses after hardship early in life|Esther Landhuis|August 28, 2020|Science News
This study also opens the door for other control measures that alter the biology of locusts themselves.
A single molecule may entice normally solitary locusts to form massive swarms|Jonathan Lambert|August 12, 2020|Science News
It expects women and men to behave very differently, from birth forward, simply on the basis of their biology.
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Charles King|August 5, 2020|Nautilus
Now researchers have proposed a new learning method more closely tied to biology, which they think could help us approach the brain’s unrivaled efficiency.
A New Brain-Inspired Learning Method for AI Saves Memory and Energy|Edd Gent|July 27, 2020|Singularity Hub

One key contender is CRISPR, the fast-advancing gene-editing technology that stands to revolutionize synthetic biology and treatment of genetically linked diseases.
How AI Will Make Drug Discovery Low-Cost, Ultra-Fast, and Personalized|Peter H. Diamandis, MD|July 23, 2020|Singularity Hub
For his tireless assault on evolutionary biology and downsizing the deity to fit within science, I give Meyer second place.
2014: Revenge of the Creationists|Karl W. Giberson|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Complementarity as conservative Catholics use the term, however, is more than biology.
Is Pope Francis Backpedaling on Gays?|Jay Michaelson|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“In the long term, I am more worried about biology,” he told The Telegraph.
The Other Side of Stephen Hawking: Strippers, Aliens, and Disturbing Abuse Claims|Marlow Stern|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Essentially he is arguing that there are functional trade-offs in developmental biology.
Why Aristotle Deserves A Posthumous Nobel|Nick Romeo|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People are starting to recognize that depression must relate to biology, because who would give up such an outwardly gifted life?
We're Talking About Depression All Wrong|Jean Kim|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Its backbone should be the study of biology and its substance should be the threshing out of the burning questions of our day.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
“Botany is that branch of biology which treats of plant life” has in it the same error.
English: Composition and Literature|W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
“Biology” is not so well understood as “botany,” though it is a more general term.
English: Composition and Literature|W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
It follows that biology is the foundation rather than the house, if we may use so crude a figure.
Taboo and Genetics|Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard
It is time to abandon the notion that biology prescribes in detail how we shall run society.
Taboo and Genetics|Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard

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 of biology

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

Scientific 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.

Cultural definitions for biology

biology

The study of life and living systems.

biology

COMPARE MEANINGS

Origin of biology

Words nearby biology

Words related to biology

How to use biology in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for biology

Derived forms of biology

Scientific definitions for biology

Cultural definitions for biology