biosecurity

noun

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

: security from exposure to harmful biological agents

also : measures taken to ensure this security

Examples of biosecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Without decisive action — diversifying plantations with multiple cultivars, investing in robust breeding programs and adopting robust biosecurity — the global banana supply may again teeter on the brink of collapse. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Australia has strict biosecurity laws regarding pet imports, with the standard quarantine period set at 10 days. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

The agriculture secretary announced an additional $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million in financial relief for affected farmers and $100 million for vaccine research. —Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025

Some of these reforms include modernizing regulatory frameworks, investing in national biosecurity infrastructure, and making strategic investments. —Thomas Bostick, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for biosecurity

• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• cybersecurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security
• purity
• surety

Medical Definition

biosecurity

noun

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

: 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

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