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 For example, Washington is addressing the human legacy of the Vietnam War, namely by removing unexploded ordinance and completing efforts to remediate Agent Orange contamination in the Vietnamese countryside. Derek Grossman, Foreign Affairs, 6 Oct. 2023 The bill extended eligibility for VA benefits to about 6.2 million veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other toxic substances during their service, according to the agency. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 30 Sep. 2023 Additionally, Hawk and Jones’ band played songs from their respective California youths by bands like Agent Orange and the Clash. Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2023 Read More: Agent Orange, A Potent Herbicide with Damaging Health Effects 3. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2023 The herbicide 2,4-D was developed as a biochemical weapon that would later be used in Agent Orange. David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2023 For veterans who served during the Vietnam War, hypertension and other conditions were added to the list of problems presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange, which was used by the US military to clear vegetation. Chris Megerian, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2023 Post-traumatic stress disorder and a wide range of medical conditions linked to the use of toxic herbicides (known popularly as Agent Orange) are two significant issues that soon came to the forefront after years of neglect. Jeff Banowetz, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2023 Since its inception in the late seventies as a punk rock club, the dive has hosted hundreds of memorable lives performances from famous indie artists like Marilyn Manson, Social Distortion, and Agent Orange. Maddy Zollo Rusbosin, Southern Living, 18 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Agent Orange.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near Agent Orange

Cite this Entry

“Agent Orange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Agent%20Orange. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

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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