-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
biological warfare
noun
: warfare involving the use of biological weapons
also
: warfare involving the use of herbicides
Examples of biological warfare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Theories abound regarding the depictions of various macabre doomsday scenarios and allusions to biological warfare.
—Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
That revelation, in turn, suggested that the couple had engaged in several violations of security rules at the laboratory, portions of which are designed for work on the world’s most lethal microbes, including ones that could be used for biological warfare.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
Many in China also perceive the United States as a potential biological warfare threat.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2020
During the Korean War, CDC official Alexander Langmuir observed that the Chinese were mounting a propaganda campaign accusing the United States of biological warfare.
—Amy Lauren Fairchild, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2020
Many people in China also perceive the United States as a potential biological warfare threat.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2020
This creative docudrama examines the life and aftermath following the mysterious death of Frank Olson, a biological warfare scientist who worked for the CIA.
—Melissa Sherrard, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2023
Russia’s initial allegation of secret American biological warfare labs in Ukraine, made soon after its Feb. 24 invasion of its smaller neighbor, has been disputed by independent scientists, Ukrainian leaders and officials at the White House and Pentagon.
—Edith M. Lederer, ajc, 2 Nov. 2022
Army Dispersion Tests Throughout the nuclear arms race of the 1950s and 60s, the US military feared an enemy attack using biological warfare, according to online government records.
—Justin Gamble, CNN, 15 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biological warfare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of biological warfare was
in 1921
Dictionary Entries Near biological warfare
Cite this Entry
“Biological warfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological%20warfare. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
biological warfare
noun
: warfare involving the use of biological weapons
Medical Definition
biological warfare
noun
biological war·fare
-ˈwȯr-ˌfa(ə)r, -ˌfe(ə)r
: warfare involving the use of biological weapons
also
: warfare involving the use of herbicides
More from Merriam-Webster on biological warfare
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biological warfare
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share