DDT
noun
: 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
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Though the ancient species once soared over most of the continent, by the mid-20th century, the population of condors had dramatically declined due to habitat degradation, lead poisoning, shooting and the use of DDT pesticide.
—
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
While the researchers didn’t identify the exact chemicals present in the barrels, alkaline waste was produced in DDT manufacturing, as well as oil refining — both prominent industries in the region in the mid-20th century.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
Scientists had initially linked the halos, observed in images captured in 2020, to the toxic pesticide DDT, whose manufacturing processes unleashed copious amounts of acidic waste into the ocean from the 1930s through the 1970s.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Exposure to the pesticide DDT in the 1960s weakened the shells of eggs laid by merlins and other raptors, and fewer of their chicks survived.
—Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
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John Leos, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
While the researchers didn’t identify the exact chemicals present in the barrels, alkaline waste was produced in DDT manufacturing, as well as oil refining — both prominent industries in the region in the mid-20th century.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
Scientists had initially linked the halos, observed in images captured in 2020, to the toxic pesticide DDT, whose manufacturing processes unleashed copious amounts of acidic waste into the ocean from the 1930s through the 1970s.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Exposure to the pesticide DDT in the 1960s weakened the shells of eggs laid by merlins and other raptors, and fewer of their chicks survived.
—Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DDT
Cite this Entry
“DDT.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DDT. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DDT
noun
: a colorless formerly used insecticide that is poisonous to many animals with backbones
Medical Definition
DDT
noun
: 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
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