botulinum toxin

noun

Updated on: 4 Apr 2018

Definition of botulinum toxin

: 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)

Recent Examples of botulinum toxin from the Web

For example, the botulinum toxins, the most toxic substances ever discovered, can kill with just a few nanograms per kilogram of body weight if injected into veins or muscles.

— vera thoss, Washington Post, "How the nerve agent in the spy attack and other toxins cause widespread contamination," 24 Mar. 2018
For example, the botulinum toxins, the most toxic substances ever discovered, can kill with just a few nanograms per kilogram of bodyweight if injected into veins or muscles.

— vera thoss, Smithsonian, "How to Calculate the Danger of a Toxic Chemical to the Public," 15 Mar. 2018
Under Shacknai's leadership, Medicis sold the acne drug Solodyn and diversified with cosmetic products such as the skin filler Restylane and the botulinum toxin Dysport, which competes with Botox.

— robert anglen, azcentral, "A step-by-step look at Rebecca Zahau's bizarre death at Spreckles Mansion," 8 Mar. 2018
According to the report, 7.23 million botulinum toxin type A procedures were performed, which is also two percent more than in 2016.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "Botox and Breast Augmentation Are the Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures in the U.S.," 6 Mar. 2018
Wrinkle treatments like botulinum toxin injections and dermal fillers can even fit right into your lunch break and don’t require any downtime.

— dr. leslie baumann, miamiherald, "New year, new start for your skin | Miami Herald," 21 Dec. 2017
The first medical use of botulinum toxin (the poison produced by the bacteria) was in treating eye-muscle disorders in the 1970s.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "A new use for Botox – Treatment for overactive bladder," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'botulinum toxin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of botulinum toxin

1923

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

botulinum toxin

noun

variants: also botulinus toxin

medical Definition of botulinum 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.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about botulinum toxin

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