defoliant

noun

de·​fo·​li·​ant (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ənt How to pronounce defoliant (audio)
: a chemical spray or dust applied to plants in order to cause the leaves to drop off prematurely

Examples of defoliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This led the 77-year-old to seek care from the VA decades later over concerns of exposure to Agent Orange − an infamous toxic defoliant used during the Vietnam War that can cause cancer and other diseases. USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 The cause was Parkinson’s disease, which his family said resulted from exposure to Agent Orange, the toxic chemical sprayed by American aircraft as a defoliant in Vietnam. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 American planes roaring overhead, releasing bombs, rockets and defoliants like Agent Orange, became part of their everyday existence. Saqib Rahim, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2023 The statement did not, however, change U.S. policy on two major weapons currently in routine use in Vietnam: tear gas and chemical defoliants. Daniel C. Schlenoff, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2020 An experienced logger and his young wife in Northern California suspect a defoliant being used to clear brush is poisoning their community. Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021 This spring, doctors identified his cancer as one of those linked to exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant used during the war. oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2021 The second-largest group served in the Vietnam era, in which 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 27 May 2021 The main focus of the War Legacies Project is to document the long-term effects of the defoliant known as Agent Orange and provide humanitarian aid to its victims. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defoliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defoliant was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near defoliant

Cite this Entry

“Defoliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defoliant. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

defoliant

noun
de·​fo·​li·​ant (ˈ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ənt How to pronounce defoliant (audio)
: a chemical that is applied to plants and causes their leaves to drop off

More from Merriam-Webster on defoliant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!