germ warfare

American  

noun

1. biological warfare.

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germ warfare British  

noun

1. Also called: bacteriological warfare.  the military use of disease-spreading bacteria against an enemy

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germ warfare Cultural  

1. The use of microorganisms in war to injure or destroy humans, animals, or crops. This type of warfare is outlawed by international treaty, but facilities for developing biological weapons exist in some countries. (See bioterrorism (see also bioterrorism) and biological warfare.)

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Etymology

Origin of germ warfare

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The Pentagon needs to improve defenses and readiness against biological weapons attacks and is ill-prepared for potential germ warfare attacks from China or other adversaries, according to a new biodefense posture report.

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2023

It was known as "Anthrax Island" after it was contaminated during World War Two by scientists carrying out germ warfare experiments.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2022

The dominant conspiracy theory — and I do not know how widespread it was, in terms of having a large number of believers — was that the 1918 flu was a form of germ warfare.

From Salon • May 8, 2021

He wrote chapters on germ warfare and bioweapons for a U.S.

From Washington Post • May 4, 2020

Banning nuclear weapons, prohibiting the use of poison gases, or outlawing germ warfare will not remove the root causes of war.

From The Promise of World Peace by Universal House of Justice