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

He was born with spina bifida, which was likely caused by his father’s exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. — Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

At the time, Lukas was working to pass the PACT Act, a law expanding health care benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other hazards during overseas deployments. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Agent Orange is a powerful chemical that kills weeds and acts as a defoliant, which the military used during the war in Vietnam to clear dense jungle and destroy food crops. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

In the skies over Vietnam, Jack watched Agent Orange sprayed from low-altitude planes. — Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 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