biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mə-strē 

1

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms

2

: the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance

biochemist

ˌbī-ō-ˈke-mist 

noun

Examples of biochemistry in a Sentence

advances in the field of biochemistry

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1949, her family immigrated from Cuba to the United States where Taft studied at Barnard College and received a master’s degree in biochemistry at Columbia University. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026

Samien Islam, the 19-year-old nephew of the owners, is a sophomore at University of Waterloo in Canada studying biochemistry. —Gabriella Fine, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026

Fellow orientation school spirit leader Marian Morales, 20, a sophomore studying biochemistry and molecular biology, watched the Canes-Ole Miss battle from home. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

Despite the abundance of modern food, our biochemistry hasn’t kept pace. —Marisa McMillan, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for biochemistry

• biogeochemistry
• chemistry
• cytochemistry
• geochemistry
• histochemistry
• neurochemistry
• photochemistry
• phytochemistry
• thermochemistry
• electrochemistry
• immunochemistry
• radiochemistry

Kids Definition

biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try ˌbī-ō-ˈkem-ə-strē 

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in living things

biochemical

-ˈkem-i-kəl

adjective

biochemically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

biochemist

-ˈkem-əst 

noun

Medical Definition

biochemistry

noun

bio·​chem·​is·​try -ˈkem-ə-strē 

plural biochemistries

1

: chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms

2

: the chemical characteristics and reactions of a particular living organism or biological substance

a change in the patient's biochemistry accompanied her psychological depression