biodefense

noun, often attributive
bio·​de·​fense | \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce biodefense (audio) \

Definition of biodefense

: the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons

Examples of biodefense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawmakers’ request cited a Feb. 15 Los Angeles Times article as the impetus for a full-fledged review of the controversial new biodefense system. David Willman, Los Angeles Times, "Lawmakers seek probe of controversial bioweapons defense system," 8 Aug. 2019 In situations ranging from the 2001 anthrax attacks to 2016’s Zika scare, Americans have been lucky to have strong biodefenses. Andrew Hessel, Ars Technica, "Printing vaccines at the pharmacy or at home will be the way of the future," 20 June 2019 That includes investing in federal research and development spending, worker skills and attracting more high-caliber foreign students to American graduate programs and fostering advanced industries such as biodefense and artificial intelligence. New York Times, "In Hitting China on Trade, Trump Is Seen Neglecting U.S. Emerging Industries," 21 June 2018 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies holds a hearing on the 2019 budget for HHS biodefense activities on Wednesday. Washington Post, "The Health 202: Trump is backing off the marijuana fight. But his attorney general has not.," 17 Apr. 2018 Indeed, the Pentagon employs similar equipment at its biodefense research facilities in Maryland and Utah. Joby Warrick, chicagotribune.com, "Poisoning of Russian ex-spy puts spotlight on Moscow's secret military labs," 18 Mar. 2018 Indeed, the Pentagon employs similar equipment at its biodefense research facilities in Maryland and Utah. Joby Warrick, Washington Post, "Poisoning of Russian ex-spy puts spotlight on Moscow’s secret military labs," 18 Mar. 2018 With that much money on the table and a welcoming regulatory environment, biodefense research seems bound to spread like, well, an infectious disease. Susan Scutti, Newsweek, "The Only Thing Scarier Than Bio-Warfare is the Antidote," 13 Mar. 2014 For years, Hammond tracked the U.S. biodefense program. Susan Scutti, Newsweek, "The Only Thing Scarier Than Bio-Warfare is the Antidote," 13 Mar. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biodefense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of biodefense

1977, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for biodefense

biodefense

noun
bio·​de·​fense | \ -di-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce biodefense (audio) \

Medical Definition of biodefense

: the means or methods of preventing, detecting, or managing an attack involving biological weapons The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases money will continue to support research in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases throughout the Midwest.St. Louis Business Journal, 25 June 2009 often used before another noun … funding for biodefense research and public-health preparedness has soared …Discover, July 2006