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

In the wake of her parents’ imprisonment, Savannah has served as legal guardian for Grayson and Chloe, who is the biological daughter of Savannah's brother Kyle Chrisley but was legally adopted by Todd and Julie in 2016 amid Kyle’s struggles with substance abuse. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 17 May 2025

Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025

Further complications arose Wednesday when the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, released a press release saying Petrova's phone revealed text messages from an individual identified as one of her colleagues informing her that she was required to declare the biological material. —Isabel Van Brugen peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Recent research offers fascinating biological insights into this role. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 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