organophosphate

American  

[awr-guh-noh-fos-feyt, awr-gan-uh‑] / ˌɔr gə noʊˈfɒs feɪt, ɔrˌgæn ə‑ /

noun

1. Biochemistry. any of a variety of organic compounds that contain phosphorus and often have intense neurotoxic activity: originally developed as nerve gases, now widely used as insecticides and fire retardants.

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organophosphate British  

/ ɔːˌɡænəʊˈfɒsfeɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of organic compounds containing phosphate groups and used as a pesticide

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Etymology

Origin of organophosphate

First recorded in 1945–50; organo- + phosphate

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

organophosphate

These samples reflected a wide range of genetic variation and life exposures, including flu; HIV-1, MRSA, MSSA, and SARS-CoV-2 infections; anthrax vaccination; and exposure to organophosphate pesticides.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 11, 2026

Another, an organophosphate called tributyl phosphate, was right at the limit, according to a Navy toxicologist’s review of the findings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2025

About 20% of conventional blueberries had residues of an organophosphate that the EPA considers of particular risk to children.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2024

Most of the pesticides detected on the Dirty Dozen are legal, but one exception is acephate, an organophosphate insecticide that is essentially prohibited for use on green beans but is still found on them.

From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2024

Bt pest control also brought environmental benefits, reducing the use of organophosphate insecticides and other toxic chemicals.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 16, 2023