Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
bioattack

bioattack

9.3
An event that uses bacteria, viruses, or toxins to harm people, animals and food
  • noun
  • /ˈbaɪoʊəˌtæk/
  • NSFW
translation icon : bioataque
  • The government has increased funding for research to prevent a potential bioattack on food supplies.

Examples

  • Since it would take days for victims of a biological attack to sicken, a quick and effective public health response, together with advance stockpiling of medications and selective immunization, would dramatically reduce the impact of a bioattack.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Officials held a training session to prepare for any signs of a bioattack in the community.

  • Experts warn that a bioattack using viruses could cause widespread panic and disease.

Synonyms

biological attack
vsbioattack
  • NSFW
6 5.5

An attack using bacteria, viruses or poisons to harm people, animals and crops

refers to harming food stores rather than specifically targeting crops
biologic attack
vsbioattack
  • NSFW
7.8

An attack using germs or poisons to harm people, animals and food supplies

focuses on harm generally rather than naming contamination of food supplies

How Severe

bioterrorism
  • Offensive
11 9.1
bioattack
  • NSFW
9.3
contamination
  • Specialized
76 4.8
exposure
295 3.5

Surface Forms

bioattack singular
bioattacks plural

Morphology

bioattack = attack (semi-transparent) = bio + attack

The word is clearly built from 'bio' + 'attack', but the biological-agent sense is a specialized extension rather than a fully everyday combination.

Etymology

The word bioattack combines the prefix bio-, meaning 'life', with the common word attack. Think of biology for the bio- part, so a bioattack is an attack that uses living things like bacteria, viruses, or toxins to hurt people, animals, or food.