biological

adjective

bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce biological (audio)
variants or less commonly biologic
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
2
: used in or produced by applied biology
3
: connected by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
her biological father
biologically adverb

Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case
Recent Examples on the Web Another category is intentional biological attacks. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 23 Apr. 2024 His fear stems from an experience in his family in which an aunt accidentally revealed to a cousin that his biological father was not the man who raised him. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for biological 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biological.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biological was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near biological

Cite this Entry

“Biological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

biological

adjective
bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal
ˌbī-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants also biologic
-ˈläj-ik
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living things
2
: connected by a relationship involving heredity rather than by one involving adoption or marriage
his biological father
biologically
-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

biological

adjective
variants also biologic
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
2
: used in or produced by applied biology
3
: related by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
an adoptee who searched for years for her biological parents
biologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on biological

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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