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

Many of our heroic Vietnam War veterans have continued to suffer the aftereffects of exposure to Agent Orange during their service. — Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Rondeau said her father's cancer was linked to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 16 June 2026

Now, Facing the World has evolved to focus mainly on Vietnam, where facial birth defects are up to 10 times higher than in neighboring countries due to the ongoing effects of Agent Orange. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 May 2026

This protection also covers exposures to chromium, chemical defoliants, Agent Orange, and asbestos. — K.h. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 8 May 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