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

Federal officials are cracking down on poultry operations looking for taxpayer relief from bird flu losses and will now require a biosecurity audit before insuring birds against future avian influenza outbreaks. —Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025

In recent years, Russian authorities have tightened regulations on the export of biological data, citing fears of foreign exploitation amid growing concerns over biosecurity. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

Past hearings have tackled issues like cybersecurity, domestic and international terrorism, biosecurity threats and the national border. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Nevertheless, tourists are still part of the problem, and that’s why even amateur scientists are subject to strict biosecurity measures. —Dalton Johnson, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

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