physiology

noun

phys·​i·​ol·​o·​gy ˌfi-zē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce physiology (audio)
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (such as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved compare anatomy
2
: the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process

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Physiology Has Latin Roots

The Latin root physio- generally means "physical", so human physiology deals with just about everything that keeps us alive and working, and other physiology specialties do the same for other animals and for plants. To do anything serious in the field of health, you've obviously got to know how the body's organs and cells function normally. Physiology used to be considered separately from anatomy, which focuses on the body's structures; however, it's now known that structure and function can't easily be separated in a scientific way, so "anatomy and physiology" are often spoken of in the same breath.

Examples of physiology in a Sentence

She took a course in anatomy and physiology. the physiology of diseased plants
Recent Examples on the Web Reach Bryant Stamford, a professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College, at stamford@hanover.edu. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 14 Mar. 2024 This three-pound lump of gray matter in our skulls processes our thoughts, memories, feelings, and unconscious physiology. Andrew Mawson, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Goodrum played college softball and received a bachelor’s degree in human physiology from the University of Oregon before receiving a master’s degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Utah. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 Other factors including individual differences in saliva, genetics, and physiology also may have had an impact on the caries. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2023 This hands-on workshop covers basic seed physiology, viability, germination cues and pretreatments, sowing and care. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Female physiology is optimized for exactly the kinds of endurance activities involved in procuring game animals for food. Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023 Apple’s headset also reacts to a user’s hand gestures and eye movements in an attempt to make the device seem like another piece of human physiology. Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2024 Though there are differences in sleep patterns among different species, the physiology of sleep in animals is similar in many ways to that in humans. Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physiology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin physiologia natural science, from Greek, from physi- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of physiology was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near physiology

Cite this Entry

“Physiology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physiology. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

physiology

noun
phys·​i·​ol·​o·​gy ˌfiz-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce physiology (audio)
1
: a branch of biology dealing with the processes and activities by which life is carried on and which are special features of the functioning of living things, tissues, and cells
2
: the life processes and activities of a living thing or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process

Medical Definition

physiology

noun
phys·​i·​ol·​o·​gy ˌfiz-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce physiology (audio)
plural physiologies
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved compare anatomy sense 1, morphology sense 1
2
: the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process
the physiology of the thyroid gland
3
: a treatise on physiology

More from Merriam-Webster on physiology

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