physiology

noun

phys·​i·​ol·​o·​gy ˌfi-zē-ˈä-lə-jē 

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

Did you know?

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

That hasn’t stopped them from having two teenage, half-vampire sons, which begs some questions about vampire physiology but allows for some solid jokes about superpowered adolescence. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

All six awardees in physiology or medicine, physics, and chemistry this year were men. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

The physiology or medicine prize traditionally opens the annual Nobel announcements, with awards in physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics to follow over the coming days. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

The researchers whose work led to this technique won the 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for physiology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

physiology

noun

phys·​i·​ol·​o·​gy ˌfiz-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

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 

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