dioxin

noun

di·​ox·​in (ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən How to pronounce dioxin (audio)
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (such as pesticide manufacture and papermaking) and waste incineration
especially : tcdd

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Which suggested to our scientists that there was not a further risk of dioxin exposure. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2023 This found that most of the dioxin in the environment had long since dissipated. George Black, The New Republic, 19 Dec. 2022 Studies show that the dioxin does not degrade easily. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 25 May 2022 Available in three handy sizes, the vegan mat is free of dioxin, bleach, formaldehyde, pesticides, and chemicals like PFAS, which linger in the environment. Neeti Mehra, Treehugger, 25 Jan. 2023 The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted blood tests in 2006 that revealed residents’ blood dioxin levels were three times the national average. Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2015 Dow once enlisted Kligman to study the effects of dioxin, a chemical in Agent Orange, on 75 inmates at Pennsylvania's Holmesburg Prison. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2021 Scientists have found high levels of dioxin in fish raised in ponds formed in old bomb craters like this one in the A Luoi Valley. George Black, The New Republic, 19 Dec. 2022 The city said the experiments exposed inmates to pharmaceuticals, viruses, fungus, asbestos and dioxin, a component of Agent Orange. Joseph De Avila, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dioxin was circa 1919

Dictionary Entries Near dioxin

Cite this Entry

“Dioxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioxin. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

dioxin

noun
di·​ox·​in (ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən How to pronounce dioxin (audio)
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper milling) and waste incineration
especially : tcdd see agent orange

More from Merriam-Webster on dioxin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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