biography
noun
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So You've Been Asked to Submit a Biography
In a library, the word biography refers both to a kind of book and to a section where books of that kind are found. Each biography tells the story of a real person's life. A biography may be about someone who lived long ago, recently, or even someone who is still living, though in the last case it must necessarily be incomplete. The term autobiography refers to a biography written by the person it's about. Autobiographies are of course also necessarily incomplete.
Sometimes biographies are significantly shorter than a book—something anyone who's been asked to submit a biography for, say, a conference or a community newsletter will be glad to know. Often the word in these contexts is shortened to bio, a term that can be both a synonym of biography and a term for what is actually a biographical sketch: a brief description of a person's life. These kinds of biographies—bios—vary, but many times they are only a few sentences long. Looking at bios that have been used in the same context can be a useful guide in determining what to put in your own.
Examples of biography in a Sentence
Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
The immediate aftermath was devastating for Ono, a prolific artist and musician whose life story is being shared as never before in Yoko, a new biography from journalist and author David Sheff (out March 25 from Simon & Schuster).
—Rachel Desantis, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
The city councilor is in his second term after being first elected in November 2021, according to his city biography.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Along with awards in categories like biography, criticism, autobiography, fiction and poetry, the group also recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in support of literary culture.
—Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biography
Cite this Entry
“Biography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biography. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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biography
noun
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