biology

noun

bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes
advances in the field of biology
a biology textbook
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
the biology of the rainforest
b
: the life processes especially of an organism or group
the biology of cancer cells
broadly : ecology
biologist noun

Examples of biology in a Sentence

advances in the field of biology the biology of the rain forest the biology of tumor cells
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.
Then, Lilo encourages Nani to follow her dreams and go to college for marine biology, taking the pressure off the older sister to be both parent and sibling after they were orphaned. Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 24 May 2025 There were fewer funds awarded for research in biotechnology and environmental biology, and less money for the tools, facilities and people that support biological research. Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Last year, for example, saw the Sanger Institute launch the Generative and Synthetic Genomics research programme, with the aim of building foundational datasets and models to engineer biology. David Prosser, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 The youngest Elling took various classes at IVC, including biology, calculus, U.S. history, psychology and writing, with a focus on math. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for biology

Word History

Etymology

German Biologie, from bi- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biology was in 1799

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Biology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biology. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

biology

noun
bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
1
: a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and life processes
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
b
: the life processes of an organism or group
biologist noun
Etymology

from German Biologie "biology," derived from Greek bi-, bio- "life" and -logia "study, science"

Medical Definition

biology

noun
bi·​ol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce biology (audio)
plural biologies
1
: a branch of science that deals with living organisms and vital processes
2
a
: the plant and animal life of a region or environment
b
: the laws and phenomena relating to an organism or group
3
: a treatise on biology

More from Merriam-Webster on biology

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