biochemical

adjective bio·chem·i·cal \ ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mi-kəl \

Definition of biochemical

1 :of or relating to biochemistry

2 :characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms

a biochemical defect in the brain

—

biochemical

noun

—

biochemically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

The new approach essentially looks for a biochemical fingerprint that shows the body is beginning to respond to an infection, long before antibodies mobilize.

— Washington Post, "Is it really Lyme? Researchers developing a new test to tell," 16 Aug. 2017
A biochemical reaction is taking place and the flesh is melting off the bones.

— cheri lucas rowlands, Longreads, "What the Future of Death Looks Like," 16 Aug. 2017
CRY2, along with the protein CRY1, are widely used among animals to help calibrate their internal biochemical clocks.

— National Geographic, "Sex, Death, and Pollination: How the Moon Changes Life on Earth," 6 July 2017
Scientists are still not sure what drives this daily rhythm, but a biochemical clock synced to the sun is one of the primary hypotheses.

— ferris jabr, Smithsonian, "How Moonlight Sets Nature’s Rhythms," 22 June 2017
Jayatilaka and a team at Johns Hopkins discovered the biochemical mechanism that tells cancer cells to break off from the primary tumor and spread throughout the body, a process called metastasis.

— carrie wells, baltimoresun.com, "Johns Hopkins researchers say they've unlocked key to cancer metastasis and how to slow it," 16 June 2017
Algae diatoms need nitrate for biochemical processes, including the production of domoic acid.

— tommy wright, The Mercury News, "Cause of 2015 toxic algal bloom in Monterey Bay identified," 7 June 2017
When cooked at high temperatures or over open flames, according to accumulating evidence, compounds in red and processed meats undergo biochemical reactions that produce carcinogenic compounds capable of altering the eater's DNA.

— emily sohn, chicagotribune.com, "Does grilled meat cause cancer? Maybe, maybe not.," 7 June 2017
When cooked at high temperatures or over open flames, according to accumulating evidence, compounds in red and processed meats undergo biochemical reactions that produce carcinogenic compounds capable of altering the eater's DNA.

— emily sohn, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Does grilled meat cause cancer?," 6 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biochemical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1836

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

biochemical

adjective bio·chem·i·cal \ -ˈkem-i-kəl \

medical Definition of biochemical

1 :of or relating to biochemistry

2 :characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms

biochemical abnormalities

biochemical processes

—

biochemical

noun

—

biochemically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about biochemical

See words that rhyme with biochemical Spanish Central: Translation of biochemical Nglish: Translation of biochemical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of biochemical for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up biochemical? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

biochemical

Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

Medical Dictionary

biochemical

medical Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Learn More about biochemical

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

pelf

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

8 Words That Put One Over on You

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Syn City

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066

biochemical

Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Explore M-W

Recent Examples of biochemical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of biochemical

Medical Dictionary

biochemical

medical Definition of biochemical

biochemical

biochemically

Learn More about biochemical

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066