thimerosal

noun

thi·​mer·​o·​sal thī-ˈmer-ə-ˌsal 

: a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic C₉H₉HgNaO₂S used especially for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties

Examples of thimerosal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vaccine court spent years in the 2000s trying cases that alleged autism was caused by the vaccine ingredient thimerosal and the shot that protects people from measles, mumps and rubella. —Patricia Callahan, CNN Money, 18 July 2025

Advertisement Why was thimerosal discussed at the latest CDC meeting? —Alice Park, Time, 1 July 2025

The vote, which was five to one in favor of eliminating thimerosal containing influenza vaccines, was misinformed by information. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

But since 2001, vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with limited exceptions. —Danny Bakst, Fortune, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from thi- + mercury + -o- + salicylate

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thimerosal

• counterproposal
• disposal
• petrosal
• proposal
• serosal

Medical Definition

thimerosal

noun

thi·​mer·​o·​sal thī-ˈmer-ə-ˌsal 

: a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic C₉H₉HgNaO₂S used especially for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties see merthiolate