biosecurity

noun

bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce biosecurity (audio)
: security from exposure to harmful biological agents
also : measures taken to ensure this security

Examples of biosecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This process is helping Ginkgo develop a global biosecurity radar that will give more advanced warnings to public health leaders and businesses. Thomas Bostick, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Australian officials said Thursday that the ship had been allowed to dock at the Fremantle Port but that no livestock could be unloaded due to Australia’s biosecurity regulations, which are among the strictest in the world. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2024 The Google deal comes as Ginkgo is trying to expand its biosecurity business, which got started during the COVID pandemic, into monitoring wastewater for pathogens. Aaron Pressman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023 If allowed to disembark, the animals would be governed by Australia’s strict biosecurity system, which is designed to assure importing countries that the country’s livestock is disease-free. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 Sunrise Farms, which was started by Weber's great-grandparents more than a century ago, was infected despite putting in place strict biosecurity measures to protect the flock. Terry Chea The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Jan. 2024 In Australia, for example, honey products must be inspected by a biosecurity officer on arrival, according to Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2024 Yet biosafety and biosecurity are a different challenge altogether. Janika Schmitt, STAT, 10 July 2023 But with the demand for COVID testing waning, the biosecurity unit expects a sharp revenue drop this year. Aaron Pressman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biosecurity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biosecurity was in 1973

Dictionary Entries Near biosecurity

Cite this Entry

“Biosecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biosecurity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

biosecurity

noun
bio·​se·​cu·​ri·​ty ˌbī-ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce biosecurity (audio)
: security from exposure to harmful biological agents (such as pathogenic microorganisms)
You would expect the organisation responsible for ensuring biosecurity in labs working with dangerous animal pathogens like foot and mouth disease to know about any accidents that have occurred in those labs.Linda Geddes, New Scientist
also : measures taken to ensure this security
In areas where poultry farms are on adjoining or nearby properties or in areas tied together by common waterways, roads, or flyways, the risk of disease spread from one farm to another is greatly increased no matter what type of biosecurity is practiced by individual farms. Carol J. Cardona, in Avian Influenza
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