toxicology

noun

tox·​i·​col·​o·​gy ˌtäk-si-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce toxicology (audio)
: a science that deals with poisons and their effect and with the problems involved (such as clinical, industrial, or legal problems)
toxicologist noun

Did you know?

Even though most of us are aware of toxicology primarily from crime shows on TV, toxicologists actually do most of their work in other fields. Many are employed by drug companies, others by chemical companies. Many work for the government, making sure the public is being kept safe from environmental poisons in the water, soil, and air, as well as unhealthy substances in our food and drugs. These issues often have to do with quantity; questions about how much of some substance should be considered dangerous, whether in the air or in a soft drink, may be left to toxicologists. But occasionally a toxicology task may be more exciting: for instance, discovering that what looked like an ordinary heart attack was actually brought on by a hypodermic injection of a paralyzing muscle relaxant.

Examples of toxicology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fatal shootings by Phoenix-area police total 9 so far in 2024 New details in Eloy fatal hot air balloon crash revealed in toxicology report. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024 California Highway Patrol's Tracy Division tells PEOPLE that authorities are awaiting toxicology reports to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the accident. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024 But two toxicology panels — one conducted by NMS Labs on behalf of the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office and another by the Federal Aviation Administration — found ketamine in his blood. Sasha Hupka, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024 Cornelius van der Walt, the 37-year-old pilot of the balloon, had ketamine levels of between 1.1 to 1.2 mg/L in his system, according to toxicology testing from the FAA and from NMS Labs. Eric Levenson, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024 Northern Kentucky University professor Chris Curran said her environmental toxicology students are investigating residents’ concerns, including testing soil and water for toxic metals. The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024 Other toxicology testing showed a low but detectable level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, also was in her system, according to a criminal complaint. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 Investigators did not suspect the driver of being under the influence or impaired, but toxicology samples were taken for testing, according to police. Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2024 Doctor Jeff LaPoint is the director of the division of medical toxicology at San Diego's Kaiser Permanente Hospital. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toxicology.' 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 1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toxicology was circa 1799

Dictionary Entries Near toxicology

Cite this Entry

“Toxicology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxicology. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

toxicology

noun
tox·​i·​col·​o·​gy -ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce toxicology (audio)
plural toxicologies
: the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on the living organism

More from Merriam-Webster on toxicology

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