Word
biology
Phoneticsbi·ol·o·gy, stress on the second syllable
US/baɪˈɑɫədʒi/
UK/baɪˈɒlədʒi/
Definitions
01scientific study
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Science
n. the scientific study of living things like plants and animals.
n. the branch of science that deals with living organisms and their vital processes.
日本語:生物学※
“She decided to study biology at university because she loved learning about animals.”
“Advances in molecular biology have allowed researchers to understand the genetic basis of many hereditary diseases with unprecedented precision.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the academic subject or field of study.
Synonyms
02organism characteristics
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. the way a specific living thing works or behaves.
n. the physiological, anatomical, and behavioural characteristics of a particular organism or species.
“The biology of the desert fox helps it survive in very hot weather.”
“Understanding the reproductive biology of this endangered species is critical for the success of the captive breeding programme.”
Usage
Often used with a possessive or 'of' phrase to specify the organism.
Synonyms
03regional life
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic
n. all the living things found in a certain area.
n. the collective living organisms of a specific geographic region or environment.
日本語:生物※
“Scientists are worried that the local biology is changing because of the new dam.”
“The unique biology of the Galapagos Islands provided Darwin with the essential evidence needed to formulate his theory of natural selection.”
Synonyms
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃-der. Ancient Greek βίος (bíos) Proto-Indo-European *leǵ- Ancient Greek λόγος (lógos) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā) Ancient Greek -λογῐ́ᾱ (-logĭ́ā)bor. New Latin -logia New Latin biologialbor. English biology Borrowed from New Latin biologia (1766), itself from Ancient Greek βίος (bíos, “bio-, life”) + -λογία (-logía, “-logy, branch of study, to speak”). By surface analysis, bio- + -logy. In English, first attested in the modern meaning in the work of English physician Thomas Beddoes in 1799. The term is also recorded in the sense of a biographical history in the work of Dudley Loftus in 1686, but this is considered by the Oxford English Dictionary to be an isolated use. The modern Greek βιολογία (viología) is borrowed from the English term and French biologie via international scientific vocabulary. Piecewise doublet of zoology.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/biology
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0