dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən 
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (such as pesticide manufacture and papermaking) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd
Examples of dioxin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2004, Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yuschenko, running against a Russian favourite, was left permanently disfigured by a dioxin attack.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Over the decades, dust has blown the contaminated soil off the bases and abundant rains have pushed the dioxin into waterways and the densely packed surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating fish as well as ducks and chicken that people raise for food.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
At the San Jacinto Waste Pits, for example, the protective concrete cap was smashed by 16 feet of flood waters, sending astronomical amounts of dioxins into the river.
—Cynthia Palmer, Time, 9 Dec. 2025
Research shows that dioxins activate Treg cells through a sensor known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
—Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dioxin
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Over the decades, dust has blown the contaminated soil off the bases and abundant rains have pushed the dioxin into waterways and the densely packed surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating fish as well as ducks and chicken that people raise for food.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
At the San Jacinto Waste Pits, for example, the protective concrete cap was smashed by 16 feet of flood waters, sending astronomical amounts of dioxins into the river.
—Cynthia Palmer, Time, 9 Dec. 2025
Research shows that dioxins activate Treg cells through a sensor known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
—Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dioxin
Cite this Entry
“Dioxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioxin. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dioxin
noun
di·ox·in
(ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper milling) and waste incineration
especially
: tcdd see agent orange
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
