botulinum toxin

noun

: a neurotoxin formed by botulinum that causes botulism and that is injected in a purified form for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes (as to treat blepharospasm and reduce wrinkles)

Examples of botulinum toxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Symptoms can begin from six hours to two weeks after consuming something that contains botulinum toxin. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026

An undercover sting at a Botox clinic ended with Wednesday’s arrest of a Miami resident and the seizure of a version of botulinum toxin A — brand name: Botox — that isn’t approved for U.S. use. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025

Both blend seamlessly among the Chopt, SoulCycle, and Starbucks in the shopping center—grab a salad, go for a spin class, sip an Americano, get an injection of botulinum toxin. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025

Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin type A, an injectable neurotoxin derived from the bacterium that causes botulism. —NPR, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for botulinum toxin

• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• endotoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin
• neurotoxin
• picrotoxin
• alloxan
• digoxin
• dioxan

Medical Definition

botulinum toxin

noun

variants also botulinus toxin

: a very powerful neurotoxin that causes botulism and is produced by the botulinum bacterium (Clostridium botulinum)

also : botulinum toxin type a

Note: Botulinum toxin acts primarily on the parasympathetic nervous system.