biology
beye-OL-uh-jih
Biology (noun) means the scientific study of living organisms and life processes. Example: “Our biology teacher took us outside to study insects in the park.”
noun
1
The scientific study of living organisms and life processes.
"Our biology teacher took us outside to study insects in the park."
"She's taking biology and chemistry this term."
"Biology explains how cells divide and grow."
2
The particular functions, structure, or makeup of a living organism or system.
"The biology of a desert plant allows it to store water for months."
"Scientists are studying the biology of the bee to understand how hives work."
"The disease affects the biology of the liver."
How to use biology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe science of life — how living things grow, function, and reproduce.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
study biology
human biology
marine biology
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Word forms
- Plural
- biologies
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Our _____ teacher took us outside to study insects in the park.
Etymology
From Greek bios ("life") plus -logia ("study of"), coined in the early 1800s as the science of living things became a distinct field.
Class of 1800
biology joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for biology
See all rhymes for biology →Frequently asked questions
What does “biology” mean?
The word “biology” means the scientific study of living organisms and life processes. In plain terms, the science of life — how living things grow, function, and reproduce.
How do you pronounce “biology”?
“Biology” is pronounced beye-OL-uh-jih (/baɪˈɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “biology” in a sentence?
Here is “biology” used in a sentence: “She's taking biology and chemistry this term.”
What is another word for “biology”?
Words with a similar meaning to “biology” include lifelore.
What part of speech is “biology”?
“Biology” is a noun.
Where does the word “biology” come from?
The word “biology” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Greek. From Greek bios ("life") plus -logia ("study of"), coined in the early 1800s as the science of living things became a distinct field.
Is “biology” a common word?
“Biology” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “biology” have?
“Biology” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the scientific study of living organisms and life processes.
What is the difference between "biology" and "biochemistry"?
Biology is the broad scientific study of living organisms and life processes, while biochemistry focuses specifically on the chemical processes within and relating to living things. Biochemistry is effectively a specialised branch of biology.
What is the difference between "biology" and "zoology"?
Biology is the overall study of all living organisms, whereas zoology is the branch of biology that deals specifically with animals. Botany, the study of plants, is another branch of biology.
What are the main branches of biology?
Biology includes branches such as botany (plants), zoology (animals), microbiology (microorganisms), genetics, and ecology. Each examines a different aspect of living organisms and life processes.
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