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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her father, who served in the Vietnam and Korean wars, died from kidney failure and heart disease associated with exposure to Agent Orange. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the river was polluted by byproducts from the chemical herbicide Agent Orange—a substance best known for its use by the American military in the Vietnam War. Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025 Seven artists from the original soundtracks — including KRS-One, Agent Orange, De La Soul, and Iron Maiden — returned with new tracks to maintain a sense of continuity. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 15 July 2025 California Federal agents denied entry to Dodger Stadium parking lot: Here is what really happened June 20, 2025 The Dodgers learned what many Trump voters already learned, which is that Agent Orange doesn’t always reward subservience. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for Agent Orange

Word History

Etymology

so called from the identifying color stripe on its container

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Agent Orange was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Agent Orange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Agent%20Orange. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on Agent Orange

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