paraquat

noun

para·​quat ˈper-ə-ˌkwät How to pronounce paraquat (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
: a highly toxic contact herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+

Examples of paraquat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Calling for further study, California lawmakers table ban on toxic herbicide paraquat. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024 Weller noted that there are more than 130 pesticides used in California that are not approved in the European Union, including paraquat, which is banned in about 60 countries. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2024 Paraquat, another type of pesticide, is also widely used in the U.S. Syngenta produces many of these paraquat products and is owned by the Sinochem Corp., which the Defense Department previously classified as a Chinese military company. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024 When paraquat, a toxic pesticide, was introduced in Samoa, the suicide rate shot up. Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 28 May 2024 Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, and paraquat, used in herbicides made by Syngenta, are two of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. Both have disputed links between their products and fatal diseases and have settled with plaintiffs for billions in total. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2024 In the meantime, many Californians who have been exposed to paraquat are hoping for swifter action. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024 The weed killer paraquat is banned in 50 countries — but not California. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023 The herbicide is paraquat, an extremely powerful weed killer that Gary Mund sprayed on vegetation as part of his job from about 1980 to 1985. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraquat.' 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

para- + quaternary

First Known Use

circa 1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraquat was circa 1961

Dictionary Entries Near paraquat

Cite this Entry

“Paraquat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraquat. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

paraquat

noun
para·​quat ˈpar-ə-ˌkwät How to pronounce paraquat (audio)
: an herbicide containing a salt of a cation [C12H14N2]2+ that is used especially as a weed killer and that is extremely toxic to the liver, kidneys, and lungs if ingested

More from Merriam-Webster on paraquat

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