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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 8 Feb. 2025.
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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