bioterrorism

American

[bahy-oh-ter-uh-riz-uhm] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈtɛr əˌrɪz əm /

noun

terrorist acts involving the use of harmful agents and products of biological origin, as disease-producing microorganisms or toxins.

bioterrorism ¹ Cultural

The use of biological agents as weapons of terror. Anthrax bacteria are one such agent, while smallpox is considered one of the more likely lethal viruses that could serve as a weapon of bioterror. (See germ warfare.)

bioterrorism ² Cultural

Terrorism that relies on spreading diseases, such as anthrax and smallpox.

Other Word Forms

bioterrorist noun

Etymology

Origin of bioterrorism

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- + terrorism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said in his resignation letter his contributions included investigating why generative AI systems suck up to users, combatting AI-assisted bioterrorism risks and researching "how AI assistants could make us less human".

From BBC

Last month, he published a lengthy essay that pushed for self-regulation and warned about the potential dangers, from AI-powered bioterrorism to job losses.

From The Wall Street Journal

He highlighted a 20% cut in healthcare funding could lead to 12 million more childhood deaths by 2045 and warned about AI’s risks, including bioterrorism.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023