Word
physiology
Phoneticsphys·i·ol·o·gy, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌfɪziˈɑɫədʒi/
UK/fˌɪzɪˈɒlədʒi/
Definitions
01scientific study of body functions
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical
n. the scientific study of how the parts of a living body work together.
n. the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living matter, such as organs and cells, and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.
Español:fisiología
“In our biology class, we studied the physiology of the human heart.”
“Advanced research into human physiology has revealed how the body adapts to extreme conditions like high altitudes or deep-sea diving.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the field of study.
Synonyms
02the way a specific body works
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the way a specific person's or animal's body functions.
n. the internal biological and chemical processes of a specific organism or species.
“The physiology of a camel allows it to survive for a long time without water.”
“The athlete's unique physiology enabled her to recover from intense training sessions much faster than her competitors.”
Usage
Can be used as a countable noun when comparing different types of bodies.
Synonyms
03natural science
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Archaic
n. an old word for the general study of nature and natural objects.
n. the study and description of natural objects; a historical synonym for natural science.
“In the 1700s, scholars used the term physiology to describe all of nature.”
“The ancient manuscript contained a section on physiology that discussed everything from minerals to the stars.”
Usage
This sense is no longer used in modern scientific contexts.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“New research suggests that physiology alone can’t explain this missing miniature end of the dinosaur spectrum—and that early mammals may have been partly responsible.” “A specialist in human and applied physiology, he says a fan should be directed more broadly at your body and, crucially, placed far enough away so it "provides air movement over the [whole] body".” Etymology
From French physiologie, from Latin physiologia, from Ancient Greek φυσιολογία (phusiología, “natural philosophy”), from φύσις (phúsis, “nature”) + λόγος (lógos, “word”). Equivalent to physio- + -logy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/physiology
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0