biodefense

noun

bio·​de·​fense ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈfen(t)s 

often attributive

: the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons

Examples of biodefense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cameron served as senior director for global health security and biodefense in the Biden administration. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 22 Jan. 2026

In 2024, Duke University in North Carolina and Washington University in Missouri were NIAID’s largest grantees, receiving more than $190 and $173 million, respectively, to study, among other things, HIV, West Nile vaccines and biodefense. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 15 Jan. 2025

Its budget, biodefense strategy, approach to high-consequence research, and engagement on the BWC are all key. — Tom Inglesby, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2017

The yet to be released national biodefense strategy, which was called for in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, is required to address natural, deliberate, and accidental pandemic threats, international and domestic. — Tom Inglesby, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for biodefense

• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense
• dense
• fence

Medical Definition

biodefense

noun

bio·​de·​fense -di-ˈfen(t)s 

: the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases money will continue to support research in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases throughout the Midwest.

—St. Louis Business Journal

—often used before another noun

… funding for biodefense research and public-health preparedness has soared …

—Discover