biology

noun

bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈä-lə-jē 

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

bī-ˈä-lə-jist 

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

If successful, this work could not only reshape how scientists think about the basic laws of physics, but also open up a greener, more sustainable way to simulate biology—potentially helping unlock new treatments for disease. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

The new research highlights the challenges in understanding Alzheimer’s biology. —Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025

Catholic Memorial High School has a new 3-D digital anatomy table for students in its biomedical science and biology programs thanks to a $125,000 donation. —Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025

Trapdoor spiders in the Bungulla genus are found on Australia’s west coast and little is known about their biology, life history, or burrowing strategies, according to researchers. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Biologie, from bi- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing biology

• cell biology
• developmental biology
• evolutionary biology
• evolutionary developmental biology
• molecular biology

Rhymes for biology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

biology

noun

bi·​ol·​o·​gy bī-ˈäl-ə-jē 

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

-jəst 

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 

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