bioterrorism

noun

bio·​ter·​ror·​ism ˌbī-ō-ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm 

-ə-ˌri-

: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons

bioterrorist

ˌbī-ō-ˈter-ər-ist 

-ə-rist

adjective or noun

Examples of bioterrorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The original measure stated that the funds are to be used to support trauma centers, emergency medical services and bioterrorism response, but in practice, the money has mainly gone to hospitals with trauma centers. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Public health authorities may be especially alarmed by possible tularemia cases because the bacterium that causes the illness, Francisella tularensis, is a Tier 1 bioterrorism threat. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Jacobsen wrote a 2024 dramatization, based on dozens of interviews, of how nuclear war would unfold; this is her bioterrorism sequel. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Conservative groups and social influencers have amplified that view through a whirlwind of covid conspiracy theories, bioterrorism fearmongering, and anti-immigration sentiment. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bioterrorism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Kids Definition

bioterrorism

noun

bio·​ter·​ror·​ism -ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm 

: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons

bioterrorist

-ər-əst 

noun

Medical Definition

bioterrorism

noun

bio·​ter·​ror·​ism -ˈter-ər-ˌiz-əm 

: terrorism involving the use of biological weapons

bioterrorist

-ər-əst 

adjective or noun