circadian

[ sur-key-dee-uhn ]

adjective

, Physiology.

1. of or relating to a biorhythm or regular biological cycle occurring once every 24 hours, such as waking and sleeping: Compare infradian ( def ), ultradian ( def ).

   Exposure to blue light at night can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making your biological clock think it's earlier in the day rather than time for bed.

   He is doing research related to the circadian cycling of hormones.

circadian

/ sɜːˈkeɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to biological processes that occur regularly at about 24-hour intervals, even in the absence of periodicity in the environment See also biological clock

Word History and Origins

Origin of circadian¹

First recorded in 1955–60; from circā “about” + Latin di(ēs) “day” + -an ( def ); circa ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of circadian¹

C20: from Latin circa about + diēs day

Example Sentences

Our hormones follow a circadian rhythm, and carbs eaten earlier in the day produce a smaller blood sugar spike compared with carbs eaten later in the day.

From Salon

“We also learned for the first time that part of the mechanism is a disruption of the circadian rhythm of corticosterone, the stress hormone that produces our well-rounded lives.”

From Salon

The theory behind time-restricted eating is that it supports the circadian rhythm, or the body’s internal clock.

From Seattle Times

However, like all living things, plants are subject to a circadian rhythm -- the biological clock that runs through day and night cycles and influences biological processes.

From Science Daily

"Understanding precisely how circadian disruption promotes disease progression could lead to behavior modification to reduce cancer risk."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• constantly
• day-to-day
• everyday
• often
• periodic
• regular
• regularly
• routine