HealthAugust 17, 2026
circadian
ser-KAY-dee-uhn
Definition
Relating to the biological processes in living organisms that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin words 'circa' (around) and 'dies' (day), the term was coined in the mid-20th century to describe physiological cycles that persist even in the absence of external time cues.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the body's internal clock, explaining that aligning sleep with this natural rhythm reduces health risks for night-shift workers.
Mizzou study shows small scheduling change has big health benefits for night-shift physicians
Read the full article ↗Show Me Mizzou