biology

[ bahy-ol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the science of life or living matter in all its forms and phenomena, especially with reference to origin, growth, reproduction, structure, and behavior.
2. the living organisms of a region:

   the biology of Pennsylvania.

3. 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.

biology

/ baɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of living organisms, including their structure, functioning, evolution, distribution, and interrelationships
2. the structure, functioning, etc, of a particular organism or group of organisms
3. the animal and plant life of a particular region

biology

/ bī-ŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of life and of living organisms. Botany, zoology, and ecology are all branches of biology.

biology

1. The study of life and living systems.

Derived Forms

• biˈologist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of biology¹

From the German word Biologie, dating back to 1805–15. See bio-, -logy

Example Sentences

Hart and one of his co-authors on a study recently published in Current Biology, biologist Laura Ryan, are planning to install similarly patterned LED lights on the bottoms of surfboards to see whether that can help reduce the risk of shark attacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Adding that its results can be used to create a new unification scheme of quantum mechanics and gravity, Loeb said the deeper significance of the double helix structure isthat it “is simply a mathematical result that has nothing to do with biology. The fact that it appears here and in the human DNA is a remarkable coincidence.”

From Salon

The Australian study, published in the journal Current Biology, involved testing three different intensities of LED lights.

From BBC

The first is a study from the journal Current Biology found that ctenophores, a phlyum of aquatic invertebrates better known as comb jellies, can successfully fuse together after being injured.

From Salon

Pointing out that this is disastrous for humanity from the perspective of our basic survival, Moroz added that “support for basic science, and marine biology in particular, is the only reasonable and cost-efficient way to ensure a healthy life for our children and grandchildren.”

From Salon

Related Words

• anthropology
• biological science
• ecology
• environmental science
• medicine
• natural science
• zoology