biocontainment

noun

bio·​con·​tain·​ment ˌbī-ō-kən-ˈtān-mənt 

: the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (such as viruses) usually by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release especially during research

Examples of biocontainment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since 2016, several similar biocontainment facilities have stood up at major medical centers across the country as concern for importation of exotic and potentially deadly emerging diseases has increased. —Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Of course, biocontainment facilities and policies have improved dramatically over the past half-century. —Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2024

The samples will then be automatically sealed into a biocontainment system and transferred to an Earth entry capsule, which is part of the Earth Return Orbiter. —Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2024

With more new laboratories globally studying emerging viruses, experts around the world need to work together to make sure labs are built correctly, scientists are trained appropriately and work is done at appropriate levels of biocontainment, Dr. Le Duc said. —Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 31 Dec. 2021

Then on June 5 of that year, CDC researchers working in high-level biocontainment to refine techniques for detecting anthrax accidentally sent active samples of the bacterium to another CDC lab in Atlanta that was equipped to handle only nonlethal material. —Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2021

With only 65 beds meant for biocontainment or quarantine, the facilities in Omaha were meant to help stave off a pandemic, not overcome one already underway. —Mitch Smith, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020

Established in 2005, the biocontainment and quarantine facility was one of only three places equipped to treat some of the 11 patients in the United States stricken with Ebola in 2014. —Robert Kuznia, CNN, 14 Mar. 2020

The prefabricated pods, connected by inflatable corridors and fitted with biocontainment systems, can be set up by a small number of workers in just a few hours. —Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

biocontainment

noun

bio·​con·​tain·​ment -kən-ˈtān-mənt 

: the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (such as viruses) usually by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release especially during research

—often used before another noun

Before we can leave the biocontainment area, we must remove our borrowed coveralls and shower thoroughly.

—Glenn Zorpette, Scientific American