aerobiology

noun

aero·​bi·​ol·​o·​gy ˌer-ō-bī-ˈä-lə-jē 

: the science dealing with the occurrence, transportation, and effects of airborne materials (such as viruses, pollen, or pollutants)

aerobiological

ˌer-ō-ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

Examples of aerobiology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The disciplines of aerobiology and aeroecology explore how animals, plants and other organisms live in, move through and interact with the aerosphere — the part of Earth’s atmosphere that supports life. —Mary Hoff, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2014

Senior science adviser Louise Pitt directs the aerobiology lab at USAMRIID and has worked on Ebola, anthrax, ricin and the Marburg virus in her 30-year career here. —Eric Niiler, Wired, 1 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

aero- + biology

First Known Use

circa 1937, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aerobiology

noun

aero·​bi·​ol·​o·​gy ˌar-ō-bī-ˈäl-ə-jē, ˌer- 

plural aerobiologies

: the science dealing with the occurrence, transportation, and effects of airborne materials or microorganisms (as viruses, pollen, or pollutants)

aerobiological

-ˌbī-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

aerobiological studies

aerobiologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

aerobiologist

ˌar-ō-bī-ˈäl-ə-jist, ˌer- 

noun

Besides keeping tabs on allergenic pollens and spores, aerobiologists can also provide early warning of changing patterns of the world's flora.

—Gail Vines, New Scientist