physiological

adjective

phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce physiological (audio)
variants or physiologic
ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce physiological (audio)
Synonyms of physiologicalnext
1
: of or relating to physiology
2
: characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning
the sodium level was physiological
3
: differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors
a physiological strain of bacteria
physiologically
ˌfi-zē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce physiological (audio)
adverb

Examples of physiological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Where products can be copied and technologies commoditized, sensory resonance creates a physiological memory that will beg to be repeated. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Elevated stress, exposure to environmental toxins, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and extreme heat are among the factors that have the potential to unleash a chain of physiological responses that can lead to preeclampsia. — Carina Heckert, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 The findings were used to produce a composite physiological age score. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026 Some of those fragments, being relatively short and flexible, may stick to other proteins in ways that trigger some sort of physiological response. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for physiological

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of physiological was in 1704

Phrases Containing physiological

Rhymes for physiological

See All Rhymes for physiological

Browse Nearby Words

physiologer
physiological
physiological assay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Physiological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physiological. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

physiological

adjective
phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfiz-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce physiological (audio)
variants or physiologic
-ˈläj-ik How to pronounce physiological (audio)
1
: of or relating to physiology
2
: characteristic of healthy or normal functioning of the body
physiologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce physiological (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

physiological

adjective
phys·​i·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌfiz-ē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce physiological (audio)
variants or physiologic
-ik How to pronounce physiological (audio)
1
: of or relating to physiology
2
: characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning
3
: differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors
a physiological strain of bacteria
physiologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce physiological (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on physiological

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for physiological

Nglish: Translation of physiological for Spanish Speakers

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