Origin: Greek prefix bio-
Biological has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
A biological product.
"The new treatment is a biological product derived from living cells that has helped many patients recover faster than before."
In plain English: A biological noun is a word that names something living, like an animal or a plant.
"The biological is responsible for maintaining the records of all new births in the hospital."
Usage: Biological is an adjective and should not be used as a standalone noun to refer to a biological product. Instead, use phrases like "a biological agent" or "biologicals" depending on the specific context.
pertaining to biology or to life and living things
"The biological diversity of the rainforest provides a wealth of new medicines for treating diseases."
(of a parent or child) related by blood; genetically related
"biological child"
"natural parent"
Of or relating to biology.
"The biological aspects of the new species were studied extensively by the research team."
In plain English: Biological means relating to living things and how their bodies work.
"The biological clock tells us when to feel tired at night."
Usage: Use "biological" to describe anything related to living organisms, such as their structure, function, or processes. Avoid using it simply to mean "natural" or "organic," which are distinct concepts in everyday language.
The word biological comes from combining biology with the suffix -ical to mean relating to or characteristic of life. It entered English as a direct formation based on these existing parts rather than evolving from an older root.