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

Meanwhile, farmers are working to protect their flocks with biosecurity efforts. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

The government will look after us through biosecurity and the prevention of animal disease. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025

For more information on good biosecurity measures for helping prevent the spread of HPAI, visit the Indiana State Board of Animal Health's website. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025

Scientists who have been worried about future biosecurity threats for some time praised this work. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 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