defoliant

noun

de·fo·li·ant (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ənt

: a chemical spray or dust applied to plants in order to cause the leaves to drop off prematurely

Examples of defoliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web American planes roaring overhead, releasing bombs, rockets and defoliants like Agent Orange, became part of their everyday existence. —

Saqib Rahim, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2023 The statement did not, however, change U.S. policy on two major weapons currently in routine use in Vietnam: tear gas and chemical defoliants. —

Daniel C. Schlenoff, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2020 An experienced logger and his young wife in Northern California suspect a defoliant being used to clear brush is poisoning their community. —

Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021 This spring, doctors identified his cancer as one of those linked to exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant used during the war. —

oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2021 The second-largest group served in the Vietnam era, in which 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. —

Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 27 May 2021 The main focus of the War Legacies Project is to document the long-term effects of the defoliant known as Agent Orange and provide humanitarian aid to its victims. —

New York Times, 16 Mar. 2021 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. —

Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defoliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.