: a toxic heat-stable lipopolysaccharide substance present in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that is released from the cell upon lysis

Examples of endotoxin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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One product contained endotoxin – a toxic substance produced by bacteria – suggesting that it was contaminated with microbes. C. Michael White / The Conversation, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024 One sample had evidence of endotoxin, a poisonous substance found in E. coli and other bacteria that can cause infections in humans. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endotoxin was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near endotoxin

Cite this Entry

“Endotoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endotoxin. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

endotoxin

noun
: a toxin of internal origin
specifically : a poisonous substance present in bacteria (as the causative agent of typhoid fever) but separable from the cell body only on its disintegration compare exotoxin

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