non-biological
adjective
non-bi·o·log·i·cal
ˌnän-ˌbī-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
variants
or nonbiological
: not biological: such as
a
: not relating to, marked by, or derived from life and living processes
non-biological reactions
non-biological materials
nonbiological methane
b
: not connected by genetic relationship
a non-biological parent
non-biologically
adverb
or nonbiologically
non-biologically produced materials
Examples of non-biological in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thoughtful estate planning can rectify this oversight, ensuring that non-biological but emotionally significant heirs receive their fair share.
—
Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Although they could have been formed by either biological or non-biological activity, these compounds join a host of other tantalizing clues to the potential existence of ancient Martian life.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
But none of this rules out that some kind of non-biological machine, in principle, could sustain the life regulation processes that, by sustaining life, also amplify the mind.
—Oshan Jarow, Vox, 15 June 2024
Would Max Kepler become another Cleveland pitcher’s non-biological parent?
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Of course, organics don't mean that life is there, because organics can have a biological origin or a non-biological origin.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Overall, 120 objects containing human remains were removed from view, along with an additional 71 non-biological objects that were in the same displays, the museum told CNN at the time.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Still, non-biological processes could also have formed the rock's unique features.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
In this case, the detection of these spots on a Martian rock represents just the first of seven steps—for example, scientists must still rule out non-biological possibility and identify other signals to have confidence in off-world life.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 25 July 2024
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Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Although they could have been formed by either biological or non-biological activity, these compounds join a host of other tantalizing clues to the potential existence of ancient Martian life.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
But none of this rules out that some kind of non-biological machine, in principle, could sustain the life regulation processes that, by sustaining life, also amplify the mind.
—Oshan Jarow, Vox, 15 June 2024
Would Max Kepler become another Cleveland pitcher’s non-biological parent?
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Of course, organics don't mean that life is there, because organics can have a biological origin or a non-biological origin.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Overall, 120 objects containing human remains were removed from view, along with an additional 71 non-biological objects that were in the same displays, the museum told CNN at the time.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Still, non-biological processes could also have formed the rock's unique features.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
In this case, the detection of these spots on a Martian rock represents just the first of seven steps—for example, scientists must still rule out non-biological possibility and identify other signals to have confidence in off-world life.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 25 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Non-biological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-biological. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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