Definition

Noun A weapon that uses living organisms, such as bacteria or viruses, or their toxic products, to cause disease or death in people, animals, or plants. It is a type of weapon designed for biological warfare.

Examples

• The international treaty aims to prevent the development and stockpiling of any bioarm.
• Security experts are concerned about terrorist groups attempting to acquire a bioarm.
• The use of a bioarm like anthrax is considered a war crime under international law.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in discussions of biosecurity, counter-terrorism, and arms control. It typically refers to a weaponized agent, as opposed to a naturally occurring disease.
• "to deploy a bioarm": To use or release a biological weapon in a conflict or attack.

Variants and Related Words

• Bioweapon: A direct synonym for bioarm.
• Biological Weapon: The full, formal term.
• Germ Warfare Agent: A more descriptive synonym emphasizing the use of pathogens.
• Bioagent: A broader term that can refer to any biological agent, which may or may not be weaponized.

Synonyms

Bioweapon, biological weapon, germ weapon.

Related Phrases

• Biological Warfare (BW): The strategic use of bioarms.
• Biological Warfare Agent: Another term for the weapon itself.
• Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD): The category that includes bioarms, along with chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons.

Noun

1. any weapon usable in biological warfare
   • they feared use of the smallpox virus as a bioweapon