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

Experts say vaccination would need to be managed with strict biosecurity measures — extra precautions to prevent vaccinated birds from becoming infected — to reduce the risk of genetic changes in the virus. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025

On February 26, the Trump administration unveiled a $1.5 billion plan to combat rising egg prices, including $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million for farmers impacted by HPAI and $100 million for medical and vaccine research into the disease. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

The facility is the only one in the state with the federal biosecurity clearance to handle and track the most dangerous samples of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). —Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025

The plan includes spending on biosecurity measures, on financial relief for farmers affected by the outbreak, and on developing vaccines and treatments against for chickens. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 26 Feb. 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