bioterrorism

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

/ ˌbaɪ oʊˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

Save This Word!

noun

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

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bioterrorism

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + terrorism

OTHER WORDS FROM bioterrorism

bi·o·ter·ror·ist, noun, adjective

Words nearby bioterrorism

biosystematics, biota, biotech, biotechnology, biotelemetry, bioterrorism, biotic, biotic factor, biotic potential, biotin, biotite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bioterrorism in a sentence

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.
Everything you need to know about the monkeypox vaccines|Jessica Hamzelou|August 3, 2022|MIT Technology Review
It also has federal agreements for the production of medicines to combat bioterrorism threats.
Johnson & Johnson confirm vaccine production problems at Emergent plant in Baltimore|Christopher Rowland, Laurie McGinley|April 1, 2021|Washington Post

British Dictionary definitions for bioterrorism

bio-terrorism

bio-terror

noun

the use of living organisms and their toxic products to kill or incapacitate, esp as a political weapon

Derived forms of bio-terrorism

bio-terrorist, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for bioterrorism (1 of 2)

bioterrorism

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

Cultural definitions for bioterrorism (2 of 2)

bioterrorism

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.)