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

Since that mutation, and the phasing out of DDT, an uptick in international travel and increasing urban population density, bed bug numbers have exploded. —Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 28 May 2025

Finn Balor hit a one-man stereo DDT/reverse DDT on Rollins and Zayn. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

The raptors’ recovery after DDT was banned in 1972 has been hailed as an environmental success story. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 May 2025

Pesticide called ‘new DDT’ has been found in CT waterways. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 16 May 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