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

Thomas, a biological male, previously competed for the UPenn men's swimming team from 2017-20 under the name Will Thomas. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025

Guests begin with biological age testing, body composition scans, and consultations to assess stress markers, inflammation, and posture. —Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Prosecutors decided to add charges of assault on a minor and tampering with physical evidence after learning about the biological father's claims, and the jury convicted Harasymczuk on those counts as well back in March. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 30 June 2025

In 1964, Mansfield gave birth to Mariska, who revealed in May 2025 that Sardelli was her biological father, not Mickey, as was the narrative all these years. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 June 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