Agent Orange

American  

noun

1. a powerful herbicide and defoliant containing trace amounts of dioxin, a toxic impurity suspected of causing serious health problems, including cancer and genetic damage, in some persons exposed to it and birth defects in their offspring: used by U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War to defoliate jungles.

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Agent Orange British  

noun

1. a highly poisonous herbicide used as a spray for defoliation and crop destruction, esp by US forces during the Vietnam War

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Agent Orange Scientific  

1. A mixture of equal amounts of two herbicides known as 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, and trace amounts of the toxic contaminant dioxin (a byproduct of the manufacture of 2,4,5-T). It was used in the Vietnam War to defoliate areas of forest.

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Etymology

Origin of Agent Orange

First recorded in 1965–70; so called from the color of the identifying stripe on the drums in which it was stored

Example Sentences

Take the obfuscation and denial over the impact of agent orange on Vietnam era vets, combat related post-traumatic stress, or the deadly health impacts on soldiers it had charge into above ground atomic blasts.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2019

For example, children of Vietnam War veterans exposed to the herbicide agent orange have an increased risk for spina bifida due to epigenetic changes.

From Scientific American • Aug. 29, 2011

And not cute little farts, but silent and deadly agent orange gas bombs that make it hard to concentrate, so forgive me if this recap isn’t up to par.

From Salon • May 11, 2010