physiology
noun
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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
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
Dental students study anatomy, physiology and other sciences related to the whole body, then home in on clinical care for mouth and teeth.
—Lola Butcher, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Researchers are increasingly moving away from measurements that include just a few variables, such as the heat index (which is calculated using just relative humidity and temperature), toward ones that incorporate complex meteorological data into human physiology and behavior models.
—Amanda Heidt, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 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
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
Latin physiologia natural science, from Greek, from physi- + -logia -logy
1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near physiology
Cite this Entry
“Physiology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physiology. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
physiology
noun
Medical Definition
physiology
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on physiology
Nglish: Translation of physiology for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of physiology for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physiology
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