Agent Orange

noun

: an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War that is composed of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and contains dioxin as a contaminant

Examples of Agent Orange in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rondeau said her father's cancer was linked to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 16 June 2026

Overstreet died of cancer, Flynn said, related to exposure to Agent Orange. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 5 May 2026

Veterans of the Vietnam War exposed to Agent Orange have suffered from disabilities linked to the toxic exposure. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

This protection also covers exposures to chromium, chemical defoliants, Agent Orange, and asbestos. — K.h. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

so called from the identifying color stripe on its container

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Agent Orange

noun

-ˈär-inj, -ˈär(-ə)nj, -ˈȯr-inj, -ˈȯr(-ə)nj 

: an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War that is composed of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and contains dioxin as a contaminant