bioterrorism

noun

bio·​ter·​ror·​ism ˌbī-ō-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce bioterrorism (audio)
-ə-ˌri-
: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons
bioterrorist adjective or noun

Examples of bioterrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The recent attention to contagious measles, tuberculosis, Ebola, and other illness outbreaks in the news has once more brought to light the threat that pandemics and bioterrorism pose. Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Climate change, bioterrorism, artificial intelligence and the damage done by mis- and dis-information have also been included in the mix of possible cataclysms. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2023 There were four anthrax and bioterrorism threats in 2022. Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 11 May 2023 Researchers have discovered a foreign microbe so deadly it's considered a bioterrorism agent growing wild in the U.S. ‒ specifically in states along the Gulf of Mexico. Amy Bennett Williams, USA TODAY, 21 June 2023 The health committee also has some must-pass legislation on its agenda, including the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, a 2006 law intended to improve public health and medical preparedness for emergencies, including acts of bioterrorism. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2023 Insisting that the speed of vaccinating people is paramount, Cuomo shelved vaccine distribution plans designed over the years by local public health departments in preparation for epidemics and bioterrorism attacks and by using their experiences dispensing vaccines during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Cassidy Morrison, Washington Examiner, 1 Feb. 2021 But to date, pulling off this sort of bioterrorism has required considerable expertise. Byrobert F. Service, science.org, 14 June 2023 Fearing bioterrorism in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the U.S. invested heavily in Bavarian Nordic and stockpiled over 20 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine. Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bioterrorism.' 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

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bioterrorism was in 1987

Dictionary Entries Near bioterrorism

Cite this Entry

“Bioterrorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioterrorism. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bioterrorism

noun
bio·​ter·​ror·​ism -ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce bioterrorism (audio)
: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons
bioterrorist noun

Medical Definition

bioterrorism

noun
bio·​ter·​ror·​ism -ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce bioterrorism (audio)
: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons
bioterrorist adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bioterrorism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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