biography
noun
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So You've Been Asked to Submit a Biography
In a library, the word biography refers both to a kind of book and to a section where books of that kind are found. Each biography tells the story of a real person's life. A biography may be about someone who lived long ago, recently, or even someone who is still living, though in the last case it must necessarily be incomplete. The term autobiography refers to a biography written by the person it's about. Autobiographies are of course also necessarily incomplete.
Sometimes biographies are significantly shorter than a book—something anyone who's been asked to submit a biography for, say, a conference or a community newsletter will be glad to know. Often the word in these contexts is shortened to bio, a term that can be both a synonym of biography and a term for what is actually a biographical sketch: a brief description of a person's life. These kinds of biographies—bios—vary, but many times they are only a few sentences long. Looking at bios that have been used in the same context can be a useful guide in determining what to put in your own.
Examples of biography in a Sentence
Book Marks
july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
After all, anyone with even the slightest interest in this movie surely knows at least the basics of his biography.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
Louis-Fernand is a professional dancer whose theatre credits include roles in Magic Mike Live, Hamilton, & Juliet and more, per his biography on Evita's cast site.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 8 July 2025
Fitzpatrick was also embedded with U.S. Special Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to his biography.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for biography
Cite this Entry
“Biography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biography. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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biography
noun
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