bio-

1.
a combining form meaning “life” occurring in loanwords from Greek (biography); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (bioluminescence).
Also, especially before a vowel, bi-.
Origin
combining form of Greek bíos life; akin to Latin vīvus living, Sanskrit jīvas. See quick
British Dictionary definitions for bio-

bio-

combining form
1.
indicating or involving life or living organisms: biogenesis, biolysis
2.
indicating a human life or career: biography, biopic
Word Origin
from Greek bios life
Word Origin and History for bio-

word-forming element, from Greek bio-, comb. form of bios "one's life, course or way of living, lifetime" (as opposed to zoe "animal life, organic life"), from PIE root *gweie- "to live" (cf. Sanskrit jivah "alive, living;" Old English cwic "alive;" Latin vivus "living, alive," vita "life;" Middle Persian zhiwak "alive;" Old Church Slavonic zivo "to live;" Lithuanian gyvas "living, alive;" Old Irish bethu "life," bith "age;" Welsh byd "world"). Equivalent of Latin vita. The correct usage is that in biography, but in modern science it has been extended to mean "organic life."

bio- in Medicine

bio- or bi-
pref.

  1. Life; living organism: biology.

  2. Biology; biological: biophysics.