bioterrorism

American  

[bahy-oh-ter-uh-riz-uhm] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

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

---

bioterrorism ¹ Cultural  

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 Cultural  

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

---

Other Word Forms

• bioterrorist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of bioterrorism

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + terrorism

Example Sentences

He said in his resignation letter his contributions included investigating why generative AI systems suck up to users, combatting AI-assisted bioterrorism risks and researching "how AI assistants could make us less human".

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Last month, he published a lengthy essay that pushed for self-regulation and warned about the potential dangers, from AI-powered bioterrorism to job losses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

He highlighted a 20% cut in healthcare funding could lead to 12 million more childhood deaths by 2045 and warned about AI’s risks, including bioterrorism.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Ferrer said the cuts mean she no longer has enough money for the county’s bioterrorism watch program, which monitors for outbreaks that might signal a biological attack.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2025

Past students, she explained, had studied orcas, diabetes, astronaut food, the Black Death, velociraptors, solar hurricanes, and bioterrorism.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin