photobiology

[ foh-toh-bahy-ol-uh-jee ]

/ ˌfoʊ toʊ baɪˈɒl ə dʒi /

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noun

the study of the effects of light on biological systems.

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Origin of photobiology

First recorded in 1930–35; photo- + biology

OTHER WORDS FROM photobiology

pho·to·bi·o·log·i·cal

[foh-toh-bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl], /ˌfoʊ toʊˌbaɪ əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, pho·to·bi·o·log·ic, adjectivepho·to·bi·ol·o·gist, noun

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

How to use photobiology in a sentence

In that photo, Merabet has a big smile that spreads across his whole face and lights up his eyes.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Most people, however, understood the significance of the photo immediately-- especially those who share my skin.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Oscar-winning actress put nude photo thieves in their place with one perfect statement.
Jennifer Lawrence’s Righteous Fury Says Everything We Wanted to Say|Kevin O’Keeffe|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A sepia photo shows him as a young boy, head in his hands, with a large book open at a bar table.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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
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
I will go over and get the fullest particulars, find his grave, have it carefully marked, and send you a photo.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie|George Brenton Laurie
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

British Dictionary definitions for photobiology

photobiology

/ (ˌfəʊtəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of biology concerned with the effect of light on living organisms

Derived forms of photobiology

photobiological (ˌfəʊtəʊˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectivephotobiologist, 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