biological

adjective

variants: or less commonly

biologic

Definition of biological

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

play \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See biological defined for English-language learners

See biological defined for kids

Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case

Recent Examples of biological from the Web

For a disease to jump the biological barrier between species is no simple matter.

— john fauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A family of fatal brain diseases has baffled scientists while infecting new species", 6 July 2017
Researchers may come to rely on computers not only to do the science, but also to explain it: Some evidence for biological theories may be so complex that accepting it requires faith in the computation.

— john bohannon, Science | AAAS, "A new breed of scientist, with brains of silicon", 5 July 2017
Bunton has overcome the death of his stepfather three years ago and the absence of a biological father to take an active role in his life.

— clifton brown, Indianapolis Star, "'I didn’t want to allow football to dominate who I was': How a former Colt found his passion", 2 July 2017
Maria and her husband, Michael, a Cleburne couple who have a biological child but want to add to their family, are exploring adoption in Texas.

— anna m. tinsley, star-telegram.com, "Some 20,000 Texas kids need homes. But will a new law turn families away?", 30 June 2017
Harris' biological father was present at her birth, Leah Leark said, but has not been a part of her life.

— bob narang, chicagotribune.com, "Pioneer Press softball Player of the Year: OPRF's Chardonnay Harris", 21 June 2017
Dexter Barnes has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Johnnie and Shirley Ervin, his biological parents.

— megan crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "Son is charged with first-degree murder in slaying of elderly parents", 20 June 2017
Biological mothers and other primary caregivers get 16 weeks.

— lauren weber, WSJ, "J.P. Morgan Employee Claims Bank Discriminates Against Dads", 15 June 2017
The suspect was the biological father of one of the children and the stepfather of the two others, according to the police report.

— sandra dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Infant dead after reported domestic assault in eastern Tijuana", 14 June 2017

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

First Known Use of biological

1818

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

BIOLOGICAL Defined for English Language Learners

biological

adjective

Definition of biological for English Language Learners

: of or relating to biology or to life and living things
: related through birth

BIOLOGICAL Defined for Kids

biological

adjective bi·o·log·i·cal \ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\

Definition of biological for Students

1 : of or relating to biology or to life and living things biological activity
2 : related by birth

Medical Dictionary

biological

adjective

variants: also

biologic

Medical Definition of biological

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