Agent Orange

noun

: an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War that is composed of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and contains dioxin as a contaminant

Examples of Agent Orange in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Set on the island of Vieques—a U.S. military testing ground for toxic munitions like napalm, depleted uranium, and Agent Orange—The Fishbowl tells the story of Noelia (Isel Rodríguez), a 40-year-old artist grappling with terminal cancer. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025

For years, the U.S. military tested and stored Agent Orange—a dangerous chemical that removes vegetation and causes cancer and other dangerous diseases—across Puerto Rico, for later use in Vietnam. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

At the same time, a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 20,000 Vietnam veterans and their families against Dow and other makers of Agent Orange was further tarnishing the company’s image. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

The condition was linked to exposure to Agent Orange, an herbicide used by the American military in Vietnam. —Will Heinrich, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

so called from the identifying color stripe on its container

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Agent Orange

noun

-ˈär-inj, -ˈär(-ə)nj, -ˈȯr-inj, -ˈȯr(-ə)nj 

: an herbicide widely used as a defoliant in the Vietnam War that is composed of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and contains dioxin as a contaminant