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

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See Examples For:

botulinum toxin

She says that having botulinum toxin injected at such an early age risks building up a tolerance to it.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2025

The product is made from small, purified doses of botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 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

Importation of botulinum toxin into the U.S. is restricted and requires proper documentation from the Food and Drug Administration.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 7, 2023

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