biocontainment
noun
bio·con·tain·ment
ˌbī-ō-kən-ˈtān-mənt 
: the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (such as viruses) usually by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release especially during research
Examples of biocontainment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With more new laboratories globally studying emerging viruses, experts around the world need to work together to make sure labs are built correctly, scientists are trained appropriately and work is done at appropriate levels of biocontainment, Dr. Le Duc said.
—
Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 31 Dec. 2021
Then on June 5 of that year, CDC researchers working in high-level biocontainment to refine techniques for detecting anthrax accidentally sent active samples of the bacterium to another CDC lab in Atlanta that was equipped to handle only nonlethal material.
—Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2021
With only 65 beds meant for biocontainment or quarantine, the facilities in Omaha were meant to help stave off a pandemic, not overcome one already underway.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020
Established in 2005, the biocontainment and quarantine facility was one of only three places equipped to treat some of the 11 patients in the United States stricken with Ebola in 2014.
—Robert Kuznia, CNN, 14 Mar. 2020
The prefabricated pods, connected by inflatable corridors and fitted with biocontainment systems, can be set up by a small number of workers in just a few hours.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020
In the past week, the number of coronavirus patients in the Omaha quarantine and biocontainment units has jumped from 10 to 17.
—Robert Kuznia, CNN, 14 Mar. 2020
He was immediately transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was eventually placed in a biocontainment unit.
—Fox News, 28 Feb. 2020
The laboratory, a high-security biocontainment facility on Texas' Gulf Coast, received a live sample of the new coronavirus last month and will use it to test the vaccine in mice.
—NBC News, 5 Mar. 2020
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Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 31 Dec. 2021
Then on June 5 of that year, CDC researchers working in high-level biocontainment to refine techniques for detecting anthrax accidentally sent active samples of the bacterium to another CDC lab in Atlanta that was equipped to handle only nonlethal material.
—Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2021
With only 65 beds meant for biocontainment or quarantine, the facilities in Omaha were meant to help stave off a pandemic, not overcome one already underway.
—Mitch Smith, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2020
Established in 2005, the biocontainment and quarantine facility was one of only three places equipped to treat some of the 11 patients in the United States stricken with Ebola in 2014.
—Robert Kuznia, CNN, 14 Mar. 2020
The prefabricated pods, connected by inflatable corridors and fitted with biocontainment systems, can be set up by a small number of workers in just a few hours.
—Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2020
In the past week, the number of coronavirus patients in the Omaha quarantine and biocontainment units has jumped from 10 to 17.
—Robert Kuznia, CNN, 14 Mar. 2020
He was immediately transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was eventually placed in a biocontainment unit.
—Fox News, 28 Feb. 2020
The laboratory, a high-security biocontainment facility on Texas' Gulf Coast, received a live sample of the new coronavirus last month and will use it to test the vaccine in mice.
—NBC News, 5 Mar. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biocontainment.' 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
1966, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near biocontainment
Cite this Entry
“Biocontainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biocontainment. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Medical Definition
biocontainment
noun
bio·con·tain·ment
-kən-ˈtān-mənt
: the containment of extremely pathogenic organisms (such as viruses) usually by isolation in secure facilities to prevent their accidental release especially during research
—often used before another noun
Before we can leave the biocontainment area, we must remove our borrowed coveralls and shower thoroughly.—Glenn Zorpette, Scientific American
Glenn Zorpette, Scientific AmericanLove words? Need even more definitions?
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