Bioweapon: meaning, definitions and examples
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bioweapon
[ ˈbaɪoʊˌwɛpən ]
military
A type of weapon that uses biological agents or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals, or plants. Bioweapons can cause widespread devastation and have the potential to be used in acts of terrorism or warfare.
Synonyms
bio-weapon, biological weapon.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| bioweapon |
Listed twice but used interchangeably with the single-word spelling in most contexts.
|
| biological weapon |
Used in formal, legal, or academic contexts to refer to weapons that employ pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.
|
| bio-weapon |
An alternative spelling to 'bioweapon' often used in more technical or scientific texts.
|
Examples of usage
- Several countries have signed treaties banning the development and use of bioweapons.
- Terrorist organizations may seek to acquire bioweapons to unleash on civilian populations.
Translations
Translations of the word "bioweapon" in other languages:
🇵🇹 arma biológica
🇮🇳 जैविक हथियार
🇩🇪 Biowaffe
🇮🇩 senjata biologis
🇺🇦 біологічна зброя
🇵🇱 broń biologiczna
🇯🇵 生物兵器
🇫🇷 arme biologique
🇪🇸 arma biológica
🇹🇷 biyolojik silah
🇰🇷 생물 무기
🇸🇦 سلاح بيولوجي
🇨🇿 biologická zbraň
🇸🇰 biologická zbraň
🇨🇳 生物武器
🇸🇮 biološko orožje
🇮🇸 lífvopn
🇰🇿 биологиялық қару
🇬🇪 ბიოლოგიური იარაღი
🇦🇿 bioloji silah
🇲🇽 arma biológica
Etymology
The concept of bioweapons dates back to ancient times, with historical accounts of the use of biological agents in warfare. However, modern bioweapons research and development accelerated during the 20th century, particularly during World War II and the Cold War. The use of bioweapons is highly controversial due to the potential for widespread harm and the difficulty in controlling their effects. International treaties and agreements have been established to regulate the use of bioweapons and prevent their proliferation.
See also: weapon, weaponed, weaponless, weaponry, weapons.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #42,158, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.