biosecurity

noun bio·se·cu·ri·ty \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of biosecurity

: security from exposure to harmful biological agents; also : measures taken to ensure this security

Recent Examples of biosecurity from the Web

To keep the rats out, tough biosecurity measures are being put in place, including keeping tourist boats offshore and moving people to the island via much smaller boats where rats cannot hide out.

— National Geographic, "Large Island Declared Rat-Free in Biggest Removal Success," 9 May 2018
The requirements, still in draft form, would require a biosecurity check by WDFW staff taking samples for pathogens twice a year.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Virus in escaped fish common, not harmful to salmon in Washington waters, state says," 18 Feb. 2018
Veterinary authorities and trade groups in Denmark and Germany are now reminding farmers and hunters to keep biosecurity as tight as possible.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "African swine fever outbreak alarms wildlife biologists and veterinarians," 20 Dec. 2017
Governments should also sponsor research to increase the effectiveness and reduce the cost of the biosecurity measures adopted by industry.

— gregory d. koblentz, Slate Magazine, "Smallpox Could Again Be a Serious Threat," 19 Oct. 2017
Teams and individuals of Future Problem Solvers have been studying the topic of biosecurity for the past two months in preparation for the international conference.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 17 July 2017
To help offset a 10 percent increase in military spending, much of the government would take serious hits, including agencies tasked with biosecurity.

— emily baumgaertner, New York Times, "Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts Trouble Bioterrorism Experts," 28 May 2017
The contract expires in September, according to the report, which said that Health and Human Services officials are confident the company has a secure biosecurity program.

— faith karimi, CNN, "US falling short on bird flu preparation, report finds," 12 May 2017
Fewer than 60 percent of the 850 poultry producers surveyed had biosecurity officers or training in place, the GAO found.

— nikita biryukov, NBC News, "USDA Unsure if Bird Flu Guidelines are Helping, GAO Finds," 11 May 2017

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

First Known Use of biosecurity

1973

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

biosecurity

noun bio·se·cu·ri·ty \ ˌbī-ō-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē \

medical Definition of biosecurity

: security from exposure to harmful biological agents (such as pathogenic microorganisms)

You would expect the organisation responsible for ensuring biosecurity in labs working with dangerous animal pathogens like foot and mouth disease to know about any accidents that have occurred in those labs.
—Linda Geddes, New Scientist, 22 Dec. 2007

also : measures taken to ensure this security

In areas where poultry farms are on adjoining or nearby properties or in areas tied together by common waterways, roads, or flyways, the risk of disease spread from one farm to another is greatly increased no matter what type of biosecurity is practiced by individual farms.
—Carol J. Cardona, in Avian Influenza, 2008

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biosecurity

Definition of biosecurity

Recent Examples of biosecurity from the Web

First Known Use of biosecurity

Medical Dictionary

biosecurity

medical Definition of biosecurity

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Definition of biosecurity

Recent Examples of biosecurity from the Web

First Known Use of biosecurity

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medical Definition of biosecurity

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