endotoxin
noun
en·do·tox·in
ˌen-dō-ˈtäk-sən 
: 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
It was later revealed the Tennessee Department of Correction had failed to test the drugs in previous executions for endotoxins, a step in its own protocol.
—
Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
With cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics may reduce harmful toxins like ammonia and endotoxins that contribute to liver damage.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The condition can be caused by detergents or disinfectants on surgical instruments, improperly mixed solutions, preservatives-containing medications injected into the eye, or endotoxins in intraocular lens implants, the company said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
These types of products also need to meet certain international standards and be tested for sterility, biocompatibility, and endotoxins (substances found in the cell membranes of infection-causing bacteria).
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
In an extreme situation like this one, the gut bacteria start to break down, and endotoxins—the toxins that come from inside bacterial cells—enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and other problems, explains Fedirko.
—Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025
Harmful bacteria, such as proteobacteria and bacilli, release endotoxins.
—Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
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
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Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
With cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics may reduce harmful toxins like ammonia and endotoxins that contribute to liver damage.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
The condition can be caused by detergents or disinfectants on surgical instruments, improperly mixed solutions, preservatives-containing medications injected into the eye, or endotoxins in intraocular lens implants, the company said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025
These types of products also need to meet certain international standards and be tested for sterility, biocompatibility, and endotoxins (substances found in the cell membranes of infection-causing bacteria).
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
In an extreme situation like this one, the gut bacteria start to break down, and endotoxins—the toxins that come from inside bacterial cells—enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation and other problems, explains Fedirko.
—Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025
Harmful bacteria, such as proteobacteria and bacilli, release endotoxins.
—Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Endotoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endotoxin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
endotoxin
noun
en·do·tox·in
ˌen-dō-ˈtäk-sən
: 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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