non-biological

adjective

non-bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌnän-ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or nonbiological

: not biological: such as

a

: not relating to, marked by, or derived from life and living processes

non-biological reactions

non-biological materials

nonbiological methane

b

: not connected by genetic relationship

a non-biological parent

non-biologically

ˌnän-ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

or nonbiologically

non-biologically produced materials

Examples of non-biological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The material found on Martian rocks, Murphy’s team warns, might have originated from non-biological processes as well. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026

The universe has non-biological ways to make any one of those gases. — Paul Sutter, Space.com, 10 June 2026

Scientists must first rule out any possible non-biological explanations for a discovery, meaning the discovery would have to be unexplained by any chemical or geological processes. — Mary Magnuson, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026

Non-biological caregivers carry higher risks of abuse than non-biological caregivers, O’Connor said. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for non-biological

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

Medical Definition

non-biological

adjective

non-bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal

-ˌbī-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

variants or nonbiological

: not biological

non-biological parents

non-biological factors