urushiol
noun
uru·shi·ol
yu̇-ˈrü-shē-ˌȯl 
u̇-ˈrü-,
-ˌōl
: a mixture of catechol derivatives with saturated or unsaturated side chains of 15 or 17 carbon atoms that is an oily toxic irritant substance present in poison ivy and some related plants (such as poison oak and poison sumac)
Examples of urushiol in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is because every part of the plant contains and emits a resin known as urushiol.
—
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 July 2023
Mangos, cashews and pistachios can contain small amounts of urushiol.
—Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022
People who are highly allergic to urushiol can even develop a skin rash just by being exposed to the smoke.
—Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 28 June 2023
The severity also depends on the amount of urushiol that gets on your skin, the Mayo Clinic notes.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Source of irritation All parts of poison ivy contain an oily compound called urushiol.
—Mike Hogan, The Enquirer, 28 May 2023
Dish soap is made to handle grease and oil and can help treat urushiol.
—Jim Cobb, Field & Stream, 10 May 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80 to 90 percent of adults react to urushiol, the irritating chemical in poison ivy.
—Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022
Less than two days later, poison ivy’s evil active ingredient, urushiol, had done its rash-causing thing on both my legs, part of my left arm, and one of my eyeballs.
—Danielle Sepulveres, Outside Online, 26 July 2021
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 July 2023
Mangos, cashews and pistachios can contain small amounts of urushiol.
—Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022
People who are highly allergic to urushiol can even develop a skin rash just by being exposed to the smoke.
—Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 28 June 2023
The severity also depends on the amount of urushiol that gets on your skin, the Mayo Clinic notes.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Source of irritation All parts of poison ivy contain an oily compound called urushiol.
—Mike Hogan, The Enquirer, 28 May 2023
Dish soap is made to handle grease and oil and can help treat urushiol.
—Jim Cobb, Field & Stream, 10 May 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80 to 90 percent of adults react to urushiol, the irritating chemical in poison ivy.
—Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2022
Less than two days later, poison ivy’s evil active ingredient, urushiol, had done its rash-causing thing on both my legs, part of my left arm, and one of my eyeballs.
—Danielle Sepulveres, Outside Online, 26 July 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urushiol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Urushiol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urushiol. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
urushiol
noun
uru·shi·ol
(y)u̇-ˈrü-shē-ˌȯl
-ˌōl
-ˌōl
: a mixture of pyrocatechol derivatives with saturated or unsaturated side chains of 15 or 17 carbon atoms that is an oily toxic irritant principle present in poison ivy and some related plants of the genus Rhus
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