DDT

noun

ˌdē-(ˌ)dē-ˈtē 

: a colorless odorless water-insoluble insecticide C₁₄H₉Cl₅ that is an aromatic organochlorine banned in the U.S. that tends to accumulate and persist in ecosystems and has toxic effects on many vertebrates

Examples of DDT in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

SmackDown came back from commercial break just in time for a wild Sabin comeback that ended with a springboard tornado DDT. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Gargano put Gacy through a table with a springboard DDT, Lumis hit a legdrop onto Ford through a table, Fenix hit a frog splash to put Frazer through a table and to cap it off, Axiom hit a Spanish Fly on Dawkins and put him through a table. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Uso got the hot tag to Reigns after a massive DDT on Reed. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The next year, the committee largely confirmed her reporting, and more rigorous federal regulation of DDT followed. —Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 27 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

dichlor- + diphenyl + trichlor- (from tri- + chlor-)

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

DDT

noun

ˌdēd-(ˌ)ē-ˈtē 

: a colorless formerly used insecticide that is poisonous to many animals with backbones

Medical Definition

DDT

noun

ˌdē-(ˌ)dē-ˈtē 

: a colorless odorless water-insoluble crystalline insecticide C₁₄H₉Cl₅ that tends to accumulate in ecosystems and has toxic effects on many vertebrates

called also chlorophenothane, dicophane