noun
Uncommon
physiology
fih-zee-O-luhd-zhee
Physiology (noun) means the branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their parts function. Example: “Her physiology course covers how the heart and lungs work together.”
noun
1
The branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their parts function.
"Her physiology course covers how the heart and lungs work together."
"Understanding animal physiology helps vets diagnose illness."
2
The particular way a living thing's body functions.
"A bird's physiology is adapted for flight."
How to use physiology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe science of how bodies and living things work internally.
Common pairings
human physiology
plant physiology
study physiology
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Word forms
- Plural
- physiologies
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Her _____ course covers how the heart and lungs work together.
Etymology
From French physiologie, from Latin physiologia, from Greek phusiologia ("natural philosophy"), from phusis ("nature") plus logos ("study").
Synonyms
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bodily function
biological function
Rhymes for physiology
See all rhymes for physiology →Frequently asked questions
What does “physiology” mean?
The word “physiology” means the branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their parts function. In plain terms, the science of how bodies and living things work internally.
How do you pronounce “physiology”?
“Physiology” is pronounced fih-zee-O-luhd-zhee (/ˌfɪziˈɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “physiology” in a sentence?
Here is “physiology” used in a sentence: “Her physiology course covers how the heart and lungs work together.”
What part of speech is “physiology”?
“Physiology” is a noun.
Where does the word “physiology” come from?
The word “physiology” comes from Latin. From French physiologie, from Latin physiologia, from Greek phusiologia ("natural philosophy"), from phusis ("nature") plus logos ("study").
Is “physiology” a common word?
“Physiology” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “physiology” have?
“Physiology” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their parts function.
What is the difference between "physiology" and "anatomy"?
Physiology is the branch of biology that studies how living organisms and their parts function, such as how the heart pumps blood, while anatomy studies the physical structure of those organisms and parts, such as the shape and location of the heart. Anatomy answers "what is it," while physiology answers "how does it work."
What is the difference between "physiology" and "biology"?
Biology is the broad scientific study of all living organisms, while physiology is a specific branch of biology focused on how organisms and their organs function. Physiology sits within the wider field of biology alongside other branches such as genetics and ecology.
What does "physiology" mean when applied to a person rather than a science?
When applied to an individual, "physiology" refers to the particular way that person's body functions, such as their metabolism or hormone levels, rather than the academic discipline itself. For example, "her physiology allows her to recover quickly" describes her body's specific functioning.
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