methylmercury

noun

meth·​yl·​mer·​cury ˌme-thəl-ˈmər-kyə-rē How to pronounce methylmercury (audio)
-ˈmər-k(ə-)rē
: any of various toxic compounds of mercury containing the complex CH3Hg− that often occur as pollutants which accumulate in living organisms (such as fish) especially in higher levels of a food chain

Examples of methylmercury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At high levels, methylmercury (the type found in some fish) can be toxic. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 June 2025 But those limits were set for methylmercury, the kind found in some fish, which is known to be toxic. Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 Second, the federal guidelines on exposure limits for the toxic substance methylmercury came out about the same time as the Wakefield study’s publication. Terri Levien, The Conversation, 25 June 2025 Microorganisms convert inorganic mercury in the environment into the compound methylmercury, which aquatic creatures inadvertently consume. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for methylmercury

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methylmercury was in 1915

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Cite this Entry

“Methylmercury.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methylmercury. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

methylmercury

noun
meth·​yl·​mer·​cury
ˌmeth-əl-ˈmər-kyə-rē, British also ˌmē-ˌthīl-
plural methylmercuries
: any of various toxic compounds of mercury containing the complex CH3Hg− that often occur as pollutants formed as industrial by-products or pesticide residues, tend to accumulate in living organisms (as fish) especially in higher levels of a food chain, are rapidly and easily absorbed through the human intestinal wall, and cause neurological dysfunction in humans see minamata disease
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