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

The disruption to our circadian rhythms comes at a physiological price. — Randy J. Nelson, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026

These internal clocks regulate sleep, alertness and other physiological functions. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

That’s a physiological condition achieved by a person who breathes underwater long enough for the body’s tissues to absorb the maximum possible amount of inert gas (like nitrogen), for a specific depth and pressure. — Michaela Musilova, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026

The researcher, who published mostly in German, presented his work on a physiological process known as persorption. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 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