endotoxin

noun

en·​do·​tox·​in ˌen-dō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a toxic heat-stable lipopolysaccharide substance present in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that is released from the cell upon lysis

endotoxic

ˌen-dō-ˈtäk-sik 

adjective

Examples of endotoxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lee administration had previously halted capital punishment in 2022 after suspending the execution of Oscar Franklin Smith, due to the failure to test for endotoxins in the lethal injection cocktail, per the Death Penalty Information Center. — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2026

The Mediscal glutathione was found to have elevated bacterial endotoxins. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2026

Like antibiotics, phages can cause the release of endotoxins, or toxic substances, which can cause a severe inflammatory – and potentially fatal – response, like septic shock. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

If endotoxins are present, the lysate reacts by forming a clot or causing a measurable change. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for endotoxin

• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin
• neurotoxin
• picrotoxin
• alloxan
• digoxin
• dioxan
• dioxin

Medical Definition

endotoxin

noun

en·​do·​tox·​in ˌen-dō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a toxin of internal origin

specifically : a poisonous substance present in bacteria (as the causative agent of typhoid fever) but separable from the cell body only on its disintegration compare exotoxin

endotoxic

-sik 

adjective