biological
beye-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl
Biological (adj) means relating to biology or to living organisms and their processes. Example: “The vaccine triggers a biological response in the immune system.”
adj
1
Relating to biology or to living organisms and their processes.
"Transgender rights advocates and many experts argue, however, that strict definitions of sex based on anatomy at birth can miss biological nuances."
— Annabelle Dickson, UK minister mulling law change to define sex as ‘biological’ (2023)
"Sex refers to a person's biological status and is typically assigned at birth, usually on the basis of external anatomy."
— Laurel Wamsley, A Guide To Gender Identity Terms (2021)
"The vaccine triggers a biological response in the immune system."
"Digestion is a biological process that happens in every animal."
"The scientist studied the biological effects of light on young plants."
2
Related by blood rather than by adoption or marriage.
"She was raised by her stepfather but stayed close to her biological dad."
"He found his biological mother after searching for many years."
"Their adopted daughter wanted to learn more about her biological family."
How to use biological
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving to do with living things and how their bodies work, or (for family) related by blood.
Common mistake
"Biological parent/mother/father" specifically distinguishes a blood relation from an adoptive or step relation.
Common pairings
biological process
biological parent
biological clock
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like biological.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- biologicals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vaccine triggers a _____ response in the immune system.
Etymology
From "biology" plus the adjective ending "-ical."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for biological
See all rhymes for biological →Frequently asked questions
What does “biological” mean?
The word “biological” means relating to biology or to living organisms and their processes. In plain terms, having to do with living things and how their bodies work, or (for family) related by blood.
How do you pronounce “biological”?
“Biological” is pronounced beye-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl (/ˌbaɪ.əˈlɑ.d͡ʒɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “biological” in a sentence?
Here is “biological” used in a sentence: “The vaccine triggers a biological response in the immune system.”
What is another word for “biological”?
Words with a similar meaning to “biological” include biologic.
What part of speech is “biological”?
“Biological” is an adjective.
Is “biological” a common word?
“Biological” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “biological” have?
“Biological” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to biology or to living organisms and their processes.
What is the difference between a biological parent and an adoptive parent?
A biological parent is related to a child by blood, meaning the child descends from them genetically. An adoptive parent raises a child they are not biologically related to, so biological refers to the genetic link rather than the legal or caregiving relationship.
What is the difference between biological and biologic?
Biological is the general adjective relating to biology or living organisms and their processes. Biologic is a narrower, mainly medical term used for drugs made from living cells, so the two are not fully interchangeable despite their similar look.
What is the difference between biological and physiological?
Biological is a broad term covering anything related to living organisms and their study. Physiological is narrower, focusing specifically on how the body and its parts function, so all physiological processes are biological, but not everything biological is physiological.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include biological:
