dioxin

noun

di·​ox·​in (ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən 

: 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

Examples of dioxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These toxins include industrial solvents such as dioxins — dangerous chemicals created as by-products during manufacturing — as well as pesticides and some plastics. —Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

Viktor Yushchenko, a Ukrainian presidential candidate who was poisoned with dioxin during an 2004 election campaign, perhaps by Kremlin operatives. —Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025

However, experts affirm that PET does not contain or produce dioxins. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The process operates with minimal air input (oxygen kept below 2%) to suppress combustion reactions, improving hydrogen yield and reducing pollutant formation, including carbonyls and dioxins. —David Blekhman, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dioxin

• alloxan
• digoxin
• dioxan
• naproxen
• thyroxin
• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• endotoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin

Medical Definition

dioxin

noun

di·​ox·​in (ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən 

: 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