biotic

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​ot·​ic bī-ˈä-tik How to pronounce biotic (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by living organisms
biotic diversity

-biotic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

: having a (specified) mode of life
endobiotic

Examples of biotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The transition from the abiotic to biotic (non-life to life) system requires liquid water, energy from chemical disequilibria (free electrons available to drive chemical reactions), organic chemicals and the time to put this all together, says Mojzsis. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Yet the biotic community thousands of feet off the ground and its impacts on global health is poorly understood. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2024 These are all a set of models which emphasize the abiotic selective pressures on life forms, as opposed to the biotic ones. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2011 Abiotic plant disorders are environmental, and causes include wind, water, temperature, and soil pH. In comparison, biotic factors would include insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for biotic 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek biōtikos, from bioun

Adjective combining form

probably from New Latin -bioticus, from Greek biōtikos

First Known Use

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biotic was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near biotic

Cite this Entry

“Biotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biotic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

biotic

adjective
bi·​ot·​ic bī-ˈät-ik How to pronounce biotic (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by living things

Medical Definition

biotic

adjective
bi·​ot·​ic bī-ˈät-ik How to pronounce biotic (audio)
: of or relating to life
especially : caused or produced by living beings

More from Merriam-Webster on biotic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!