malathion

noun

mal·​a·​thi·​on ˌma-lə-ˈthī-ən 

-ˌän

: an organophosphate broad-spectrum insecticide C₁₀H₁₉O₆PS₂ that is considerably less toxic to mammals than parathion

Examples of malathion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was hit by the malathion, his lawsuit claimed, and went blind. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Testing found malathion on 14% of blackberry samples. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Contact insecticides such as bifenthrin, carbaryl and malathion may be used as spot treatments. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2026

But making the plant respond differently to each chemical—like blue for acephate and purple for malathion—is much harder. — WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

from Malathion, a trademark

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malathion

• parathion

Kids Definition

malathion

noun

mal·​a·​thi·​on ˌmal-ə-ˈthī-ən 

-ˌän

: a poisonous insecticide that is broken down in nature

Medical Definition

malathion

noun

mal·​a·​thi·​on ˌmal-ə-ˈthī-ən, -ˌän 

: a thiophosphate insecticide C₁₀H₁₉O₆PS₂ with a lower mammalian toxicity than parathion