biohazard

[bahy-oh-haz-erd]

noun

1. a pathogen, especially one used in or produced by biological research.

2. the health risk posed by the possible release of such a pathogen into the environment.

biohazard

/ ˌbaɪəʊˈhæzəd /

noun

1. material of biological origin that is hazardous to humans

biohazard

1. A biological agent, such as an infectious microorganism, that constitutes a threat to humans or to the environment, especially one produced in biological research or experimentation.

Other Word Forms

• biohazardous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biohazard¹

bio- + hazard

Example Sentences

But my green thumb ached as workers sawed down the tree, took away everything — trunk, twigs, leaves, fruit, roots — in biohazard bags and tagged the remaining trees with a bill of clean health.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In August there were 23 mostly minor assault reports, consistent with other months, but guards led to more biohazard and misconduct events reported, said Wright.

Read more on Seattle Times

Others perched on the roof of a mosque that still stood, and a number appeared to be part of relief and rescue efforts, dressed in white biohazard suits and reflective vests.

Read more on New York Times

The fluid is also considered a potential biohazard.

Read more on Scientific American

For the finale, she peeled away the onesie to bare pasties emblazoned with blue-sequined biohazard symbols, drawing the upper registers of shrieking adulation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times