toxicant

noun

tox·​i·​cant ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce toxicant (audio)
: a toxic agent
especially : pesticide

Examples of toxicant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
One concern is that toxicants in the sharks’ livers can hinder production of vitellogenin, which becomes the yolk needed for egg cells. Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 19 July 2024 Since toxicants can be found in both healthy and unhealthy foods, this research suggests that some foods can contain a mix of components that are both beneficial and harmful for sleep. Erica Jansen, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 The incidence of obesity, kidney disease, and prostate disease increased in each subsequent generation after the first toxicant exposure. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 2 Feb. 2024 Interestingly, our group has recently shown that toxicants in food or food packaging, like pesticides, mercury and phthalates – chemicals used to manufacture plastics – can affect sleep. Erica Jansen, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for toxicant 

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin toxicant-, toxicans, present participle of toxicare to poison, from Latin toxicum

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toxicant was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near toxicant

Cite this Entry

“Toxicant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxicant. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

toxicant

noun
tox·​i·​cant ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce toxicant (audio)
: a toxic agent
especially : one for insect control that kills rather than repels

More from Merriam-Webster on toxicant

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