toxin

noun

tox·​in ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce toxin (audio)
: a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

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Toxins Are Often Found in Nature

Long before chemists started creating poisons from scratch, humans were employing natural toxins for killing weeds and insects. For centuries South American tribes have used the toxin curare, extracted from a native vine, to tip their arrows. The garden flower called wolfsbane or monkshood is the source of aconite, an extremely potent toxin. The common flower known as jimsonweed contains the deadly poison scopolamine. And the castor-oil plant yields the almost unbelievably poisonous toxin called ricin. Today we hear health advisers of all kinds talk about ridding the body of toxins; but they're usually pretty vague about which ones they mean, and most of these "toxins" wouldn't be called that by biologists.

Examples of toxin in a Sentence

the toxin in scorpion venom read a pamphlet on the toxin responsible for botulism, a food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death in some cases
Recent Examples on the Web These toxins can damage critical organs, contributing to conditions like fatty liver disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Christopher Thompson, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The Central Park Zoo, in its initial report, said that Flaco had died of acute traumatic injury, but further tests would determine whether he had been exposed to toxins or infectious diseases. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Regulators cite concerns about the delivery companies not paying fees and taxes and selling weed that hasn’t been tested for pesticides or other possible toxins. Brad Branan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 He was not poisoned with a weapons-grade toxin or found in the wreckage of an aircraft that plunged from the sky. Greg Miller, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Hydrangeas, which contain a chemical known as amygdalin, and carnations, which contain natural toxins, are two others that pets of all kinds should avoid. Daffodils and tulips, meanwhile, are also poisonous to some animals, TrustedHousesitters said, especially their bulbs. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Those toxins combine on hot summer days to form smog. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024 Like a lymphatic massage or using a gua sha tool, dry brushing helps detoxify your body by targeting the lymphatic system (a part of the immune system), draining the fluid back into your bloodstream to release the buildup of toxins in the body and reduce cellulite. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Feb. 2024 Low-quality housing can also affect a person’s health through exposure to toxins such as lead and asbestos, noise pollution and harsh weather elements. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024

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

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toxin was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near toxin

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

toxin

noun
tox·​in ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce toxin (audio)
: a substance produced by a living organism (as a bacterium) that is very poisonous to other organisms and that usually causes antibody formation compare antitoxin
Etymology

derived from Latin tox- "poisonous" and English -in "chemical compound"; tox- from toxicum "poison," from Greek toxikon "arrow poison," from toxon "bow, arrow" — related to intoxicate, toxic see Word History at intoxicate

Medical Definition

toxin

noun
tox·​in ˈtäk-sən How to pronounce toxin (audio)
: a colloidal proteinaceous poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually very unstable, notably toxic when introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of inducing antibody formation

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