dioxin

noun

di·​ox·​in (ˌ)dī-ˈäk-sən How to pronounce dioxin (audio)
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (such as pesticide manufacture and papermaking) and waste incineration
especially : tcdd

Examples of dioxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the decades, dust has blown the contaminated soil off the bases and abundant rains have pushed the dioxin into waterways and the densely packed surrounding neighborhoods, contaminating fish as well as ducks and chicken that people raise for food. — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025 Depending on what's burning – grasslands, trees, vegetation, buildings – wildfire smoke can contain chemical substances such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins, the New York State Department of Health says. — George Petras, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 Some VOCs, such as dioxins, benzene, formaldehyde and PAHs, can be toxic to humans. — Colleen E. Reid, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025 The recent sampling also picked up a dioxin called OCDD, or octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. — Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dioxin

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dioxin was circa 1919

Rhymes for dioxin

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Browse Nearby Words

dioxide
dioxin
dioxolane
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Cite this Entry

“Dioxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dioxin. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

dioxin

noun
di·​ox·​in (ˈ)dī-ˈäk-sən How to pronounce dioxin (audio)
: any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur especially as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper milling) and waste incineration
especially : tcdd see agent orange

More from Merriam-Webster on dioxin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dioxin

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