botulinum toxin
Britishnoun
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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.
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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.
In Austria, by contrast, botulinum toxin and dermal filler treatments are classified as medical procedures and are typically reserved for doctors.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
She says that having botulinum toxin injected at such an early age risks building up a tolerance to it.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2025
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is used cosmetically to temporarily smooth fine lines on the face.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024
Foodborne botulism is a rare illness from eating foods contaminated with botulinum toxin and can cause paralysis, breathing difficulty and sometimes death.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
