biodefense

noun, often attributive

bio·de·fense | \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈfen(t)s

\

Definition of biodefense

: 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Recent Examples on the Web The experts testified that our biodefense system has been vulnerable and outdated for well over a decade. — Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, "Salad bars and water systems are easy targets for bioterrorists – and America’s monitoring system is woefully inadequate," 7 Nov. 2019 The coalition sees outreach on biodefense as another program the extension service can offer. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Group urging beefed up protection against biological threats meets at CSU to look at risks to agriculture," 5 Nov. 2019 Addressing the concerns voiced by our biodefense experts would be an important first step in increasing bioterrorism preparedness in the United States. — Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, "Salad bars and water systems are easy targets for bioterrorists – and America’s monitoring system is woefully inadequate," 7 Nov. 2019 The biodefense commission is meeting in Fort Collins in part because of CSU’s work and research on infectious diseases and animal and plant health, said Asha George, the organization’s executive director. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Group urging beefed up protection against biological threats meets at CSU to look at risks to agriculture," 5 Nov. 2019 Morrison was initially brought on as the senior director for weapons of mass destruction and biodefense. — Carol D. Leonnig, John Hudson, Anchorage Daily News, "White House official expected to confirm account that Trump appeared to seek quid pro quo," 31 Oct. 2019 Morrison was initially brought on as the senior director for weapons of mass destruction and biodefense. — oregonlive, "White House official corroborates diplomat’s account that Trump appeared to seek quid pro quo," 31 Oct. 2019 During the first Ebola crisis, the Obama administration created an Ebola czar and established a unit on global health security and biodefense, headed at the senior director level, at the National Security Council. — Washington Post, "None of these 195 countries — the U.S. included — is fully prepared for a pandemic, report says," 24 Oct. 2019 The lawmakers’ request cited a Feb. 15 Los Angeles Times article as the impetus for a full-fledged review of the controversial new biodefense system. — David Willman, Los Angeles Times, "Lawmakers seek probe of controversial bioweapons defense system," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biodefense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

5 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Biodefense.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biodefense. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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More Definitions for biodefense

biodefense

noun

bio·de·fense | \ -di-ˈfen(t)s

\

Medical Definition of biodefense

: 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, 25 June 2009 —often used before another noun… funding for biodefense research and public-health preparedness has soared … — Discover, July 2006