biological

adjective

bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or less commonly biologic

ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-jik 

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

ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• birth
• legitimate
• natural

Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case

Recent Examples on the Web

These tools serve as a deterrent to prevent other nations from using certain biological agents. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

By drawing on theories about the biological basis of consciousness, one group came up with a checklist of criteria that, if met, would suggest that an AI system is likely to be conscious. —Mariana Lenharo & Nature Magazine, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2025

The president's budget request for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, calls for eliminating USGS's Ecosystems Mission Area, the agency's biological research arm. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025

In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing biological

• biological clock
• biological control
• biological oxygen demand
• biological parent
• biological warfare
• biological weapon
• non-biological

Rhymes for biological

• analogical
• astrological
• christological
• chronological
• cosmological
• cytological
• dialogical
• ecological
• ethnological
• ethological
• geological
• histological

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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb