biology
gb/baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/ us/baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
B1
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
study of living things
The science that studies animals, plants, and other living things.
Usage pattern:
[someone] studies biology
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'biology' with 'biography'; 'biology' is a science, while 'biography' is a life story.
Synonyms
life science (A broader term that includes biology and related fields.)
Antonyms
inanimate science (Refers to sciences not dealing with living things, such as physics or geology.)
Collocations
study biology
|biology class
|marine biology
|biology teacher
|biology textbook
Themes
science
|education
|nature
Examples
- She decided to major in biology at university.
- Biology helps us understand how the human body works.
- Modern biology has made great advances in genetics.
- He is writing a paper on cell biology.
- Biology is required for all first-year science students.
Learner examples
- I am studying biology at school.
- Biology is about plants and animals.
- My friend likes biology.
- We have a biology test tomorrow.
Noun
B2
entity
2
life processes of organisms
The way the body or a living thing works and grows.
Usage pattern:
the biology of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the academic subject; here it refers to the actual life processes, not the field of study.
Synonyms
physiology (More specifically refers to the functions and processes within living organisms.)
Antonyms
nonliving processes (Processes that occur in nonliving matter, like erosion or crystallization.)
Collocations
human biology
|plant biology
|animal biology
|biology of aging
Themes
science
|health
|nature
Examples
- The biology of dolphins is fascinating to marine scientists.
- Understanding the biology of cancer is key to finding a cure.
- Human biology changes with age.
- The biology of desert plants helps them survive with little water.
Learner examples
- We study the biology of animals.
- The biology of fish is different from birds.
- Human biology changes when we get old.
Grammar
Dictionary form
biology
IPA
GB/baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
US/baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
Syllables & stress
bio - logy (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (logy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: biology
- Plural: biologies, biology
Word family
Forms
biologies
noun
Core family
Related words
biodiversity
noun B2
biotechnology
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-biological
adjective
Advanced or less common
microbiology
noun
Expressions
cell biology
1/sˈɛl baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
study of cells
The study of cells and how they work.
Examples
- Cell biology is essential for understanding many diseases.
- She specializes in cell biology at the research institute.
human biology
1/hjˈumən baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
study of human body
The study of how the human body works and grows.
Examples
- Human biology is a required course for medical students.
- His research focuses on human biology and disease prevention.
marine biology
1/mɚˈin baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
Study of sea life
The science of studying living things in the ocean.
Examples
- She is studying marine biology at university.
- She wants to work in marine biology after graduation.
- Marine biology involves research on fish, corals, and other sea creatures.
- Marine biology covers everything from coral reefs to deep-sea fish.
molecular biology
1/məlˈɛkjəlɚ baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
Biology at the molecular level
The study of life and living things by looking at their smallest parts (molecules).
Examples
- Molecular biology has advanced rapidly with new technology.
- She decided to specialize in molecular biology after her undergraduate degree.
- She is studying molecular biology at university.
- He teaches molecular biology at the university.
- Molecular biology has revolutionized our understanding of genetics.
- Molecular biology helps scientists understand diseases at the smallest level.