dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən 
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (such as pesticide manufacture and papermaking) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd
Examples of dioxin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The dioxin levels in the East Palestine samples do not appear to be higher than those of the comparison group.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024
The researchers tested a small sample of 20 residents and compared the levels of several dioxins in their blood with samples from nonsmokers in a database maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024
Vinyl chloride burning can create dioxins, which are carcinogenic, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
—Alex Presha, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2024
Because dioxins are so toxic, laboratories must be able to detect tiny amounts of them.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2023
Norfolk Southern must test for dioxins, EPA says In addition to the site cleanup, the EPA is requiring Norfolk Southern to test directly for the presence of dioxins – compounds considered to have significant toxicity and can cause disease.
—Nicki Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Vinyl chloride burning can create dioxins which is carcinogenic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2023
Linda Birnbaum, a leading dioxins researcher, toxicologist and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, said that burning vinyl chloride does create dioxins.
—Maddie Burakoff, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Burning plastic can release toxic chemicals such as dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons into the air.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2023
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024
The researchers tested a small sample of 20 residents and compared the levels of several dioxins in their blood with samples from nonsmokers in a database maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024
Vinyl chloride burning can create dioxins, which are carcinogenic, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
—Alex Presha, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2024
Because dioxins are so toxic, laboratories must be able to detect tiny amounts of them.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2023
Norfolk Southern must test for dioxins, EPA says In addition to the site cleanup, the EPA is requiring Norfolk Southern to test directly for the presence of dioxins – compounds considered to have significant toxicity and can cause disease.
—Nicki Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Vinyl chloride burning can create dioxins which is carcinogenic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2023
Linda Birnbaum, a leading dioxins researcher, toxicologist and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, said that burning vinyl chloride does create dioxins.
—Maddie Burakoff, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Burning plastic can release toxic chemicals such as dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons into the air.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dioxin.' 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
circa 1919, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near dioxin
Cite this Entry
“Dioxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioxin. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper milling) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd see agent orange
More from Merriam-Webster on dioxin
Britannica English: Translation of dioxin for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dioxin
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