biosecurity

noun

bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce biosecurity (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Join 21 others in the comments View Comments The Trump administration’s plan to bring egg prices lower calls for an increase in biosecurity, a deployment of epidemiologists to work with egg producers, exploring new vaccines, as well as increasing egg imports. Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025 Instead, the plan focuses on helping farmers adopt the most effective biosecurity measures to keep the virus out and explores the prospects for a bird flu vaccine, among other moves. Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025 Additionally, only 22% of twelfth-grade students are proficient in science, which impacts the pipeline for biotechnology and biosecurity innovation. Thomas Bostick, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 The plan includes $500 million to upgrade biosecurity at poultry farms as well as $400 million in financial relief to farmers whose flocks have been decimated by the flu. Tim Carman The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for biosecurity

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biosecurity was in 1973

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Cite this Entry

“Biosecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biosecurity. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

biosecurity

noun
bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce biosecurity (audio)
: 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
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