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
Smallpox was eradicated worldwide in 1980, but stocks of the virus still exist in U.S. and Russian biocontainment facilities.
—
Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The plan provided funds for up to 12 regional biocontainment research laboratories, not facilities for creating bioweapons.
—Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The bill includes funds for biocontainment labs, not bioweapons labs.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Since 2016, several similar biocontainment facilities have stood up at major medical centers across the country as concern for importation of exotic and potentially deadly emerging diseases has increased.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Of course, biocontainment facilities and policies have improved dramatically over the past half-century.
—Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2024
The samples will then be automatically sealed into a biocontainment system and transferred to an Earth entry capsule, which is part of the Earth Return Orbiter.
—Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2024
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
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Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The plan provided funds for up to 12 regional biocontainment research laboratories, not facilities for creating bioweapons.
—Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The bill includes funds for biocontainment labs, not bioweapons labs.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
Since 2016, several similar biocontainment facilities have stood up at major medical centers across the country as concern for importation of exotic and potentially deadly emerging diseases has increased.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Of course, biocontainment facilities and policies have improved dramatically over the past half-century.
—Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2024
The samples will then be automatically sealed into a biocontainment system and transferred to an Earth entry capsule, which is part of the Earth Return Orbiter.
—Chris Impey, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Biocontainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biocontainment. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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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