noun
biohazard
BEYE-oh-ha-zuhd
Biohazard (noun) means a biological substance, such as bacteria, a virus, or human waste, that poses a risk to health. Example: “The lab disposed of the samples in a marked biohazard bin.”
noun
1
A biological substance, such as bacteria, a virus, or human waste, that poses a risk to health.
"South Western Railway's Basingstoke station has donated surplus biohazard waste bags to the nearby St Michael's Hospice."
— , News in Brief: Donation to hospice (2020)
"The lab disposed of the samples in a marked biohazard bin."
How to use biohazard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething biological — like infected material or contaminated waste — that could make you sick.
Common pairings
biohazard symbol
biohazard waste
biohazard suit
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Word forms
- Plural
- biohazards
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The lab disposed of the samples in a marked _____ bin.
Etymology
A compound of "bio-" (life/living) and "hazard," coined in the mid-20th century as biological safety became a formal field.
Class of 1900
biohazard joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
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biological agent
Rhymes for biohazard
See all rhymes for biohazard →Frequently asked questions
What does “biohazard” mean?
The word “biohazard” means a biological substance, such as bacteria, a virus, or human waste, that poses a risk to health. In plain terms, something biological — like infected material or contaminated waste — that could make you sick.
How do you pronounce “biohazard”?
“Biohazard” is pronounced BEYE-oh-ha-zuhd (/ˈbaɪoʊˌhæzɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “biohazard” in a sentence?
Here is “biohazard” used in a sentence: “The lab disposed of the samples in a marked biohazard bin.”
What part of speech is “biohazard”?
“Biohazard” is a noun.
Where does the word “biohazard” come from?
The word “biohazard” dates back to around 1900. A compound of "bio-" (life/living) and "hazard," coined in the mid-20th century as biological safety became a formal field.
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