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

But Nicholas Evans, a biosecurity expert at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, thinks the guidance is reasonable. —science.org, 19 June 2024

The virus has now been detected in dairy cows in at least five states, a single person in Texas exposed to infected cows, and an egg farm in Texas, all spurring yet more intense monitoring and biosecurity vigilance as the situation continues to evolve. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is reminding backyard and commercial flock owners of proper biosecurity measures to keep both people and birds healthy. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2024

The biosecurity legislation loomed large over this year’s BIO conference, as my colleagues Jonathan Wosen and Meghana Keshavan reported last week. —Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

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