paraquat
noun
para·quat
ˈper-ə-ˌkwät 
ˈpa-rə-
: a highly toxic contact herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+
Examples of paraquat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Washington Post reports that 70 countries have banned paraquat, an herbicide that has drawn scrutiny for its possible links to Parkinson’s disease.
—
David Gelles, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Calling for further study, California lawmakers table ban on toxic herbicide paraquat.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
Weller noted that there are more than 130 pesticides used in California that are not approved in the European Union, including paraquat, which is banned in about 60 countries.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Paraquat, another type of pesticide, is also widely used in the U.S. Syngenta produces many of these paraquat products and is owned by the Sinochem Corp., which the Defense Department previously classified as a Chinese military company.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
When paraquat, a toxic pesticide, was introduced in Samoa, the suicide rate shot up.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and paraquat, used in herbicides made by Syngenta, are two of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. Both have disputed links between their products and fatal diseases and have settled with plaintiffs for billions in total.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
In the meantime, many Californians who have been exposed to paraquat are hoping for swifter action.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The weed killer paraquat is banned in 50 countries — but not California.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023
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David Gelles, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Calling for further study, California lawmakers table ban on toxic herbicide paraquat.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
Weller noted that there are more than 130 pesticides used in California that are not approved in the European Union, including paraquat, which is banned in about 60 countries.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024
Paraquat, another type of pesticide, is also widely used in the U.S. Syngenta produces many of these paraquat products and is owned by the Sinochem Corp., which the Defense Department previously classified as a Chinese military company.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
When paraquat, a toxic pesticide, was introduced in Samoa, the suicide rate shot up.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and paraquat, used in herbicides made by Syngenta, are two of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. Both have disputed links between their products and fatal diseases and have settled with plaintiffs for billions in total.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024
In the meantime, many Californians who have been exposed to paraquat are hoping for swifter action.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
The weed killer paraquat is banned in 50 countries — but not California.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Paraquat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraquat. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paraquat
noun
para·quat
ˈpar-ə-ˌkwät
: an herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+ that is used especially as a weed killer and that is extremely toxic to the liver, kidneys, and lungs if ingested
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