botulinum toxin

British

/ ˌbɒtjʊˈlaɪnəm /

noun

a pharmaceutical formulation of botulin used in minute doses to treat various forms of muscle spasm and for the cosmetic removal of wrinkles See Botox

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

botulinum toxin Scientific

/ bŏch′ə-lī′nəm /

Any of several enzymes produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that are extremely potent neurotoxins. Botulinum toxin interferes with the ability of neurons to release acetylcholine at nerve-muscle junctures, thereby inducing the paralysis of botulism. Botulinum toxin is resistant to enzymatic digestion in the body and is used as an antispasmodic and a treatment for wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles.
Also called botulin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Under UK law, only a doctor, prescribing nurse or pharmacist, or dentist is legally allowed to prescribe botulinum toxin - commonly known as Botox – after an appropriate face-to-face clinical assessment.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is used cosmetically to temporarily smooth fine lines on the face.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

Most of the people said they got injections of botulinum toxin for cosmetic reasons.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 23, 2024

Customs and Border Protection officials in Puerto Rico seized 149 vials of botulinum toxin illegally sent from South Korea, the agency announced Friday.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2023

For example, these toxins may be used to induce paralysis in muscles in specific health applications, similar to the use of botulinum toxin.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023