biosecurity

noun

bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē 

: security from exposure to harmful biological agents

also : measures taken to ensure this security

Examples of biosecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some transmission routes—such as direct contact with wild birds, contaminated feed or drinking water, and movement by people through contaminated clothing or equipment—are well-documented, and biosecurity measures are taken at many farms to minimize exposure. —John Drake, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Another round of federal workers were laid off last week, including individuals working with scientists researching bird flu in cattle and others who were scheduled to provide biosecurity in the battle against bird flu. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

Goicoechea said there doesn’t seem to be a lot of movement of people or equipment between the dairies, which have been following strict biosecurity protocols. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

And while poultry farmers have extensive experience with avian influenza and strict biosecurity protocols, experts didn’t expect the virus to jump into dairy cows, which, like poultry, fall under the jurisdiction of the USDA and its state equivalents. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for biosecurity

• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• cybersecurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security
• purity
• surety

Medical Definition

biosecurity

noun

bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē 

: security from exposure to harmful biological agents (such as pathogenic microorganisms)

You would expect the organisation responsible for ensuring biosecurity in labs working with dangerous animal pathogens like foot and mouth disease to know about any accidents that have occurred in those labs.

—Linda Geddes, New Scientist

also : measures taken to ensure this security

In areas where poultry farms are on adjoining or nearby properties or in areas tied together by common waterways, roads, or flyways, the risk of disease spread from one farm to another is greatly increased no matter what type of biosecurity is practiced by individual farms.

—Carol J. Cardona, in Avian Influenza