biological

adjective

bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce biological (audio)
variants or less commonly biologic
ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce biological (audio)
Synonyms of biologicalnext
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
2
: used in or produced by applied biology
3
: connected by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
her biological father
biologically
ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce biological (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of biological

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Examples of biological in a Sentence

the rights of the biological father in this case
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 The Wicked actress and singer, 58, met her biological mother in 2012. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026 The bottom line for now is that oysters carry compounds with real biological plausibility for supporting testosterone production, particularly in people who are zinc-deficient. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 Current oversight focuses on infection control and contamination but lacks the broader biological safety and clinical trial standards typically required for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for biological

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biological was in 1818

Phrases Containing biological

Rhymes for biological

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Browse Nearby Words

biologic
biological
biological anthropology
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Cite this Entry

“Biological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

biological

adjective
bi·​o·​log·​i·​cal
ˌbī-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
variants also biologic
-ˈläj-ik
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living things
2
: connected by a relationship involving heredity rather than by one involving adoption or marriage
his biological father
biologically
-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

biological

adjective
variants also biologic
1
: of or relating to biology or to life and living processes
2
: used in or produced by applied biology
3
: related by direct genetic relationship rather than by adoption or marriage
an adoptee who searched for years for her biological parents
biologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce biological (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on biological

Nglish: Translation of biological for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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