physiological

adjective

phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or physiologic

ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-jik 

1

: of or relating to physiology

2

: characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning

the sodium level was physiological

3

: differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors

a physiological strain of bacteria

physiologically

ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of physiological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sensors read a physiological signal, feed it back in real time, and the user learns to nudge it in a calmer direction. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026

Another type of hunger is hungry gut, relates to a genuine, physiological need to eat. — Nadine Wehida, Scientific American, 25 June 2026

Two other metrics are more focused on the physiological effects of extreme heat on the human body. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Core temperature does rise, heart rate climbs and sweating occurs, so there’s genuine physiological overlap. — Allison Palmer updated June 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing physiological

• physiological psychology
• physiological saline

Rhymes for physiological

• astrological
• biological
• christological
• chronological
• cosmological
• cytological
• dialogical
• ecological
• ethnological
• ethological
• geological
• histological

Kids Definition

physiological

adjective

phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfiz-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants or physiologic

-ˈläj-ik 

1

: of or relating to physiology

2

: characteristic of healthy or normal functioning of the body

physiologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

physiological

adjective

phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfiz-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants or physiologic

-ik 

1

: of or relating to physiology

2

: characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning

3

: differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors

a physiological strain of bacteria

physiologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb