biological

or bi·o·log·ic

[ bahy-uh-loj-i-kuh l or bahy-uh-loj-ik ]
/ ˌbaɪ əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl or ˌbaɪ əˈlɒdʒ ɪk /

adjective

pertaining to biology.
of or relating to the products and operations of applied biology: a biological test.

noun

Pharmacology. any substance, as a serum or vaccine, derived from animal products or other biological sources and used to treat or prevent disease.

Origin of biological

First recorded in 1855–60; biolog(y) + -ical

OTHER WORDS FROM biological

Words nearby biological

biol., biolinguistics, biologic, biologic assay, biologic evolution, biological, biological accumulation, biological child, biological clock, biological control, biological engineering

Example sentences from the Web for nonbiological

British Dictionary definitions for nonbiological (1 of 2)

nonbiological
/ (ˌnɒnbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) /

adjective

not related by birth nonbiological mother
(of a detergent) not containing enzymes said to be capable of removing stains of organic origin from items to be washed
not of or relating to biology

British Dictionary definitions for nonbiological (2 of 2)

biological

archaic biologic

/ (ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) /

adjective

of or relating to biology
(of a detergent) containing enzymes said to be capable of removing stains of organic origin from items to be washed

noun

(usually plural) a drug, such as a vaccine, that is derived from a living organism

Derived forms of biological

biologically, adverb

Medical definitions for nonbiological

biological
[ bī′ə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, caused by, or affecting life or living organisms.
Having to do with biology.
Related by blood, as in a child's biological parents.