biological

1 of 2

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

biological

2 of 2

noun

bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variant of biologic

: a biological product (such as a vaccine or blood serum) used in medicine

Synonyms of biological

Adjective

• birth
• natural
• legitimate

Examples of biological in a Sentence

Adjective

the rights of the biological father in this case

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The results demonstrate the potential of using biological locomotion as part of a robotic medical-delivery system, although substantial development and field testing would be required before such technology could be used in real emergencies. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

There have been relatively few large-scale national decomposition studies involving different land use types, although smaller studies have shown that how humans use a site can significantly affect the soil’s biological diversity. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

People exposed to early sugar limits also had longer leukocyte telomeres — protective caps on chromosomes that tend to shorten with age — equivalent to about two fewer years of biological aging. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Yet many of the world’s largest companies are still planning for growth as though forests and biological productivity can expand with demand. — Kari Stoever, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

• illogical
• zoological
• aetiological
• anthropological
• archaeological
• archeological
• axiological
• climatological
• deontological
• dermatological
• eschatological
• etiological

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