biohazard
noun
bio·haz·ard ˈbī-ō-ˌha-zərd 
: a biological agent or condition that is a hazard to humans or the environment
also : a hazard posed by such an agent or condition
biohazardous adjective
ˌbī-ō-ˈha-zər-dəs
Example Sentences
The gasoline spill created a serious biohazard.
Recent Examples on the Web The directions to staff continue, suggesting the incarcerated person's clothing and linens should be placed in a biohazard bag prior to being sent to laundry services. 
Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 12 Aug. 2022 There is a small, but legitimate biohazard risk associated with producing a lot of live coronavirus. Krishna Mallela, The Conversation, 4 May 2022 In 2018, a letter that claimed to contain ricin led to a full biohazard response by first responders at her home. Fox News, 11 May 2022 The mass spec machine identifies a biohazard and goes into automatic lockdown with Kasie and Palmer inside her lab. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2022 In any event, what was at first a minor inconvenience that would eventually decay or be kicked into the brush is now a biohazard that will last dozens or hundreds of years. Outside Online, 16 Feb. 2022 Opponents say the process ignores both culture and nature, and could be scientifically risky, creating potential allergens and untested byproducts, along with waste that might be a biohazard. New York Times, 15 Feb. 2022 Erik Bordi took in a grim scene: five biohazard cans, two refrigeration containers stacked with human remains, a gurney ready to load in a truck. Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2022 One of them, a biohazard symbol, is associated with HIV-positive individuals. Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2017 See More
Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 12 Aug. 2022 There is a small, but legitimate biohazard risk associated with producing a lot of live coronavirus. Krishna Mallela, The Conversation, 4 May 2022 In 2018, a letter that claimed to contain ricin led to a full biohazard response by first responders at her home. Fox News, 11 May 2022 The mass spec machine identifies a biohazard and goes into automatic lockdown with Kasie and Palmer inside her lab. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2022 In any event, what was at first a minor inconvenience that would eventually decay or be kicked into the brush is now a biohazard that will last dozens or hundreds of years. Outside Online, 16 Feb. 2022 Opponents say the process ignores both culture and nature, and could be scientifically risky, creating potential allergens and untested byproducts, along with waste that might be a biohazard. New York Times, 15 Feb. 2022 Erik Bordi took in a grim scene: five biohazard cans, two refrigeration containers stacked with human remains, a gurney ready to load in a truck. Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Feb. 2022 One of them, a biohazard symbol, is associated with HIV-positive individuals. Daniel Funke, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1965, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
biohazard
noun
bio·haz·ard ˈbī-ō-ˌhaz-ərd, -ˈhaz-
: a biological agent or condition (as an infectious organism or insecure laboratory procedures) that constitutes a hazard to humans or the environment
also : a hazard posed by such an agent or condition