bioterrorism

[ bahy-oh-ter-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. terrorist acts involving the use of harmful agents and products of biological origin, as disease-producing microorganisms or toxins.

bioterrorism

¹

1. The use of biological agents as weapons of terror. Anthrax bacteria are one such agent, while smallpox is considered one of the more likely lethal viruses that could serve as a weapon of bioterror. ( See germ warfare .)

bioterrorism

²

1. Terrorism that relies on spreading diseases, such as anthrax and smallpox .

Other Words From

• bio·terror·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bioterrorism¹

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + terrorism

Example Sentences

Bavarian Nordic was contracted to develop a safer smallpox vaccine for the US in the early 2000s, amid fears that smallpox could be used as a bioterrorism weapon against the country, says Sørensen.

From MIT Technology Review

It also has federal agreements for the production of medicines to combat bioterrorism threats.

From Washington Post