ecotoxicology

noun

eco·​tox·​i·​col·​o·​gy ˌē-kō-ˌtäk-si-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecotoxicology (audio) ˌe-kō- How to pronounce ecotoxicology (audio)
: a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment
ecotoxicological adjective
ecotoxicologist noun

Examples of ecotoxicology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fish in oil spill zones can ingest oil, which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can cause cancer if eaten in certain amounts, said Susan Klasing, chief of the fish, ecotoxicology and water section at California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Fox News, 29 Oct. 2021 In the latest study, a three-year, $1.1-million effort by a large team of researchers, microplastics from almost 400 samples were identified and analyzed with microscopes, tweezers and lasers in an ecotoxicology lab at the University of Toronto. Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2019 Plus, a one-time treatment won’t cut it, says Jing Zhai, the research director of ecotoxicology and specialty products at global testing laboratory Eurofins, who has extensive experience with bed bugs. Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping, 8 Apr. 2019 Today, some researchers are studying how the animals accomplish their striking feats of regeneration, while others use them in ecotoxicology studies; cephalopods even guide research into the origins of consciousness. Danna Staaf, Science | AAAS, 4 Apr. 2018

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

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecotoxicology was in 1977

Dictionary Entries Near ecotoxicology

Cite this Entry

“Ecotoxicology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecotoxicology. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

ecotoxicology

noun
eco·​tox·​i·​col·​o·​gy ˌē-kō-ˌtäk-si-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ecotoxicology (audio) ˌek-ō- How to pronounce ecotoxicology (audio)
plural ecotoxicologies
: a scientific discipline combining the methods of ecology and toxicology in studying the effects of toxic substances and especially pollutants on the environment
ecotoxicological adjective
ecotoxicologist noun
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