biological clock
The term "biological clock" encompasses both the internal timing mechanisms in organisms and the metaphorical sense of urgency related to fertility and aging.
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Definition
C1Biology
(technical, academic)An internal system in living organisms that regulates the timing of physiological processes like sleep, hormone release, and metabolism.
Example
- The biological clock ensures that our sleep-wake cycles align with the day-night pattern.
B2Health
(figurative, informal)A metaphorical sense of urgency about the timing of life events, especially related to fertility and aging.
Example
- She felt her biological clock ticking as she approached her mid-thirties.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "biological clock":
ticking clockwall clockclock ontobiological lifeclock onatomic clocktime bomb