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malathion
noun
mal·a·thi·on
ˌma-lə-ˈthī-ən
-ˌän
: an organophosphate broad-spectrum insecticide C10H19O6PS2 that is considerably less toxic to mammals than parathion
Examples of malathion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was hit by the malathion, his lawsuit claimed, and went blind.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
In their next home, they were sprayed by the pesticide malathion.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2024
But making the plant respond differently to each chemical—like blue for acephate and purple for malathion—is much harder.
—WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023
Phosmet was detected on more than 10 percent of blueberry samples and malathion on 9 percent.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 15 Mar. 2023
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Word History
Etymology
from Malathion, a trademark
First Known Use
1953, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near malathion
Cite this Entry
“Malathion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malathion. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
malathion
noun
mal·a·thi·on
ˌmal-ə-ˈthī-ən
-ˌän
: a poisonous insecticide that is broken down in nature
Medical Definition
malathion
noun
mal·a·thi·on
ˌmal-ə-ˈthī-ən, -ˌän
: a thiophosphate insecticide C10H19O6PS2 with a lower mammalian toxicity than parathion
More from Merriam-Webster on malathion
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about malathion
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