biochemical

American  

[bahy-oh-kem-i-kuhl] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈkɛm ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. Rarely biochemic of or relating to the science dealing with the chemistry of living matter.

   Accurate biochemical results depend on maintaining the integrity of blood samples until analyses can be completed.

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noun

1. a chemical existing in or obtained from living matter, or used in processes dealing with living matter.

   All the substances mentioned are biochemicals present in the human body.

Other Word Forms

• biochemically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of biochemical

bio- ( def. ) + chemical ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's biochemical relates to chemical processes that occur in living beings, like the chemical reactions in your body. You're most likely to come across the word biochemical in a science class. Biochemical processes occur in living organisms. For example, the way your body converts food into energy is biochemical, as is the way your body fights disease and responds to drugs. The word biochemistry comes from the German biochemisch, and both words combine the Greek bio, "one's life," and chemical, "relating to chemistry."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biochemical

Shapses said she wants to better understand issues such as circadian rhythm, inflammation, metabolic health, and the biochemical issues that help the body sense and respond to food.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

To investigate the idea, the researchers combined biochemical and biophysical methods with high-resolution microscopy and neuron-based assays.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 2026

The researchers combined brain imaging data with genetic and biochemical analyses in mice.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

Lavallo is referring to Ronald Breslow, a Columbia University chemist who proposed in 1958 that vitamin B1 could transform into a carbene to enable key biochemical reactions.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2026

They are the workhorses of the biochemical world.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee