biology

noun

bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes
advances in the field of biology
a biology textbook
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
the biology of the rainforest
b
: the life processes especially of an organism or group
the biology of cancer cells
broadly : ecology
biologist noun

Examples of biology in a Sentence

advances in the field of biology the biology of the rain forest the biology of tumor cells
Recent Examples on the Web But at least a half-dozen 19th-century examples involve skin purportedly taken from female patients or cadavers by male doctors, with several used to cover books about female biology or sexuality (like a treatise on virginity held at the Wellcome Collection in London). Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024 Evan Saitta Not much organic material survives over millions of years, which limits scientists’ ability to study the biology of extinct organisms compared to modern ones, whose proteins and DNA can be sequenced. Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024 The Health and Science Building would consolidate health and science programs and provide space for programs including microbiology, biology, dental assisting, surgical technology and nursing. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024 Learning the biology behind this age-old, rock-solid advice can encourage us to take other actions that will help promote a long and healthy life. Jessica Dulong, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024 Just as there have been advances in treating the symptoms of metabolic disease such as weight gain, clinical understanding of the biology and behavior behind metabolic health is improving. Lisa Shah, STAT, 28 Mar. 2024 But the seven departments in his school correspond to the traditional, core aspects of computing plus computational biology. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 The Population Council is now working on another vaginal ring that replaces ethinylestradiol with hormones better matched to female biology. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024 While they aren’t required to have degrees or career backgrounds in wildlife biology or management, they are informed and guided by those who do: VDFW employees. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

German Biologie, from bi- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biology was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near biology

Cite this Entry

“Biology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biology. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

biology

noun
bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and life processes
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
b
: the life processes of an organism or group
biologist noun
Etymology

from German Biologie "biology," derived from Greek bi-, bio- "life" and -logia "study, science"

Medical Definition

biology

noun
bi·​ol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
plural biologies
1
: a branch of science that deals with living organisms and vital processes
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
b
: the laws and phenomena relating to an organism or group
3
: a treatise on biology

More from Merriam-Webster on biology

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