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
• consanguineous
• natural

Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case

Recent Examples on the Web

And adults are turning to bovine colostrum for a whole bunch of other reasons aside from its biological purpose, including clearing up their skin, boosting digestion, and improving exercise. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024

And her 8-year-old granddaughter shouldn’t be raised by her biological father. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

Her life changes when the man who seemed to be her biological father, Joaquim – actor Paulo Calatré – reveals her true origins as the illegitimate daughter of Justino, the farm owner. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024

Advertisement The permits and biological opinions that govern state and federal pumping operations include measures aimed at limiting the deaths of fish. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

But a detective tracked down the biological father listed on Woods' birth certificate and tested the father's DNA against Woods' DNA. —CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024

Mosquito Bits contain the biological pesticide Bt, which kills worms, caterpillars (so be careful with it around pollinator plants) and mosquito larvae. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

In contrast, low-intensity fires free up space and resources for new growth, while still retaining living trees and other biological legacies that support seedlings in their vulnerable initial years. —Mark Kreider, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

The film’s sense of scale — the moment when Godzilla stuns an airport terminal full of screaming civilians to silence is one of the most breathtaking in the entire franchise — and interest in the biological realities of how its kaiju work are both catnip for fans. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024

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

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