biology
Americannoun
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the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior.
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the living organisms of a region.
the biology of Pennsylvania.
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the biological phenomena characteristic of an organism or a group of organisms.
She is studying the biology of worms, especially in regard to their reproductive behavior.
noun
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the study of living organisms, including their structure, functioning, evolution, distribution, and interrelationships
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the structure, functioning, etc, of a particular organism or group of organisms
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the animal and plant life of a particular region
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The scientific study of life and of living organisms. Botany, zoology, and ecology are all branches of biology.
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The study of life and living systems.
Other Word Forms
- biologist noun
Etymology
Origin of biology
From the German word Biologie, dating back to 1805–15. See bio-, -logy
Compare meaning
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego report that a weeklong program combining meditation and other mind-body techniques can quickly produce measurable changes in both brain activity and blood biology.
From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026
Sean Eddy, a professor of molecular and cellular biology, said about 70% of the grades he gives are A’s because that many students meet the threshold for what he considers mastery of the material.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Until the underlying biology of so-called cured patients is better understood, they say, it’s premature, and perhaps even irresponsible, to use the term.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
For biology, chemistry, or environmental science, he warned that finding a decent job often required studying all the way to a doctorate.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
She pressed her hand to her stomach—still as flat as ever—and imagined a single cell pulsing and dividing deep in side, like in the videos in biology class.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.