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 That might not be entirely (or even mostly) due to biology: Researchers are now theorizing that heteronormative gender inequities are contributing factors to low libido in women. Varuna Srinivasan, Allure, 15 Mar. 2024 Rattlesnakes present an opportunity to understand how biology changes its speed settings in a single animal. Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 This guided the core question behind my research: Can biology explain how people with the same psychiatric disorder respond differently to the same treatment? Amit Etkin, STAT, 8 Mar. 2024 But hoping the drugs' benefits will last even after stopping them ignores the fundamental biology of obesity, experts said. Jonel Aleccia, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024 This difficulty might have to do with the unique biology of elephants, says Vincent Lynch, a developmental biologist at the University at Buffalo in New York who wasn’t involved in the Colossal study. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 According to her LinkedIn, Kirby graduated from Stanford University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and human biology. Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 As research continues to explore the vast potential of these luminous creatures, the future holds the promise of new discoveries that could further revolutionize the fields of biology and medicine. Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Their collaboration has increased scientific understanding of giant panda biology, care and wellness, and what pandas need to thrive in a changing climate, according to a statement from SDZWA. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 27 Feb. 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 18 Mar. 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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