biological

adjective

bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce biological (audio)
variants or less commonly biologic
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 adverb

Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ultrathin layer, developed by researchers led by Cho Jin-han, PhD, a professor at Korea University’s chemical and biological engineering department, prevents the formation of dangerous dendrites. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025 Mutabazi later took to Instagram to share a video of their heartfelt exchange on the phone, noting that Isabella’s biological mother gave him permission to share the interaction with his followers. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 The polling on biological male participation in women's sports is even starker. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 For Glass, an obvious red line is for scientists to refrain from making a mirror ribosome, a biological machine found in a cell’s cytoplasm that makes proteins. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for biological

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biological was in 1818

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Biological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on biological

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!