physiology

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noun phys·i·ol·o·gy \ ˌfi-zē-ˈä-lə-jē \

Updated on: 15 Aug 2017

Definition of physiology

1 :a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (such as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved — compare anatomy

2 :the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process

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physiologist

play \ˌfi-zē-ˈä-lə-jist\ noun

See physiology defined for English-language learners

See physiology defined for kids

Examples of physiology in a Sentence

She took a course in anatomy and physiology.
the physiology of diseased plants

Recent Examples of physiology from the Web

Since the 1990s, pharmacists will have studied at a university for six years, focusing on anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics and pharmaceutics.

— Philly.com, "Ask the pharmacists: How your pharmacist can help you," 23 Aug. 2017
The new facility features classroom and laboratory space for biology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, nursing and health-sciences classes.

— jerry fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "New Science-Health Building to open at LSSC South Campus," 11 Aug. 2017
Guillemin, also a Salk professor, received the 1977 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "From one cell to billions: Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte studies all stages of life," 5 Aug. 2017
So recently, Maurie Luetkemeier, a professor of integrative physiology and health science at Alma College in Alma, Mich., and two of his undergraduate students, Joe Hanisko and Kyle Aho, decided to look closely at how tattooed skin sweats.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "How Tattoos Might Affect Your Workout," 26 July 2017
Dr. Robert Myerburg, professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been studying the EKG issue for decades.

— by kathryn w. foster, miamiherald, "Teen athletes, tell your doctor about family heart issues. It could save your life.," 23 July 2017
Reach Bryant Stamford, a professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College, at stamford@hanover.edu.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "'Normal' at the doctor is not necessarily good," 20 July 2017
Reach Bryant Stamford, a professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College, at stamford@hanover.edu.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "'Normal' at the doctor is not necessarily good," 20 July 2017
Today’s topic, though, is baseball, the sport most at odds with the triumph over physiology’s ebbs and flows, with its 162-game schedule, and its limitless games, and its relative insistence on two-way play.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "Amid maddening inconsistency, Herrera's flashes for Phillies can't be ignored | David Murphy," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'physiology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

physiology Has Latin Roots

The Latin root physio- generally means "physical", so human physiology deals with just about everything that keeps us alive and working, and other physiology specialties do the same for other animals and for plants. To do anything serious in the field of health, you've obviously got to know how the body's organs and cells function normally. Physiology used to be considered separately from anatomy, which focuses on the body's structures; however, it's now known that structure and function can't easily be separated in a scientific way, so "anatomy and physiology" are often spoken of in the same breath.

Origin and Etymology of physiology

Latin physiologia natural science, from Greek, from physi- + -logia -logy

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First Known Use: 1615

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Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

PHYSIOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

physiology

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noun

Definition of physiology for English Language Learners

: a science that deals with the ways that living things function
: the ways that living things or any of their parts function

PHYSIOLOGY Defined for Kids

physiology

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noun phys·i·ol·o·gy \ ˌfi-zē-ˈä-lə-jē \

Definition of physiology for Students

1 :a branch of biology that deals with the processes and activities that keep living things alive

2 :the processes and activities by which a living thing or any part of it functions

Medical Dictionary

physiology

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noun phys·i·ol·o·gy \ ˌfiz-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē \

medical Definition of physiology

plural physiologies

1 :a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved — compare anatomy 1, morphology 1

2 :the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process