Nonbiological

Nonbiological is an adjective used to describe things that do not involve living organisms or biological processes. In scientific and everyday language, the term is employed to contrast with biological, biochemical, or biotic phenomena. Because it is a broad, nontechnical label, nonbiological does not imply anything about life status (living, extinct, or inanimate) but rather the absence of a biological origin or mechanism.

Nonbiological material and processes appear in many fields. In chemistry and materials science, nonbiological materials include metals, ceramics, polymers, and other inorganic or synthetic substances, as opposed to biomaterials derived from organisms. Nonbiological chemical processes include synthetic routes such as electroplating, crystallization, and purely chemical syntheses that do not involve enzymes or living cells. In medicine, nonbiological implants or prosthetics are devices made from metals or polymers rather than tissues or organs obtained from living sources. In geology and planetary science, investigators distinguish abiotic (nonliving) or nonbiological signatures from biological ones when interpreting samples.

The term is not a precise technical category but a descriptive label. It is related to, but distinct from, terms such as abiotic, inorganic, and synthetic, each with its own emphasis. In research and policy, clarifying what is meant by nonbiological helps reduce ambiguity when discussing life, ecosystems, or artificial systems.