biological clock
noun
: an inherent timing mechanism in a living system that is inferred to exist in order to explain the timing or periodicity of various behaviors and physiological states and processes
Examples of biological clock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But a new study published on Friday in Cell Metabolism found that while pregnancy accelerates the body’s biological clock, much of that effect is reversed after delivery, especially in people who breastfeed.
—
Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 22 Mar. 2024
Some scientists suggest that your biological clock gets out of sorts.
—Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024
Staying in education can slow down your biological clock and reduce the signs of aging, according to a new study.
—Nick Morrison, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
In the wide-ranging interview, Agron also discussed her role in the upcoming Hulu drama film Clock, centered on a woman who enrolls in a clinical trial to fix her broken biological clock amid pressure to have children, and looked back on her time on Glee.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 8 May 2023
Sunlight plays a vital role in regulating your circadian rhythm—the 24-hour biological clock that governs many body functions, including your sleep-wake cycle, temperature, and energy levels.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 3 Nov. 2023
Humans have a 24-hour biological clock that regulates a number of physiological processes including sleep patterns, eating and digesting, blood pressure, body temperature, and how hormones are regulated.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 25 Aug. 2023
The idea that blocking blue light helps with sleep stems from research on the sun’s effects on the body’s biological clock.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
Want to freeze the biological clock from one birthday to the next?
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2023
Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 22 Mar. 2024
Some scientists suggest that your biological clock gets out of sorts.
—Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024
Staying in education can slow down your biological clock and reduce the signs of aging, according to a new study.
—Nick Morrison, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
In the wide-ranging interview, Agron also discussed her role in the upcoming Hulu drama film Clock, centered on a woman who enrolls in a clinical trial to fix her broken biological clock amid pressure to have children, and looked back on her time on Glee.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 8 May 2023
Sunlight plays a vital role in regulating your circadian rhythm—the 24-hour biological clock that governs many body functions, including your sleep-wake cycle, temperature, and energy levels.
—Julia Ries, SELF, 3 Nov. 2023
Humans have a 24-hour biological clock that regulates a number of physiological processes including sleep patterns, eating and digesting, blood pressure, body temperature, and how hormones are regulated.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 25 Aug. 2023
The idea that blocking blue light helps with sleep stems from research on the sun’s effects on the body’s biological clock.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2023
Want to freeze the biological clock from one birthday to the next?
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biological clock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1941, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near biological clock
Cite this Entry
“Biological clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological%20clock. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
biological clock
noun
: a mechanism that exists in living things and controls the timing of behaviors and bodily functions which occur in cycles
Medical Definition
biological clock
noun
: an inherent timing mechanism in a living system (as a cell) that is inferred to exist in order to explain various cyclical behaviors and physiological processes
More from Merriam-Webster on biological clock
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biological clock
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