toxaphene

noun

tox·​a·​phene ˈtäk-sə-ˌfēn How to pronounce toxaphene (audio)
: a persistent chlorinated insecticide mixture with the approximate empirical formula C10H10Cl8 that is now banned in the U.S.

Examples of toxaphene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The environmental assessment found the presence of toxaphene and dieldrin, decades-old insecticides that are now banned and have been shown to cause cancer in mice. Skyler Swisher, Sun-Sentinel.com, 10 Apr. 2018

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

Word History

Etymology

from Toxaphene, a trademark

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toxaphene was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near toxaphene

Cite this Entry

“Toxaphene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxaphene. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

toxaphene

noun
tox·​a·​phene ˈtäk-sə-ˌfēn How to pronounce toxaphene (audio)
: an insecticide with the approximate empirical formula C10H10Cl8 that is a complex mixture of chlorinated compounds and has been shown to have carcinogenic properties in experiments with laboratory animals

More from Merriam-Webster on toxaphene

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!