endotoxin

American  

[en-doh-tok-sin] / ˌɛn doʊˈtɒk sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the toxic protoplasm liberated when a microorganism dies and disintegrates, as in Eberthella typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever.

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endotoxin British  

/ ˌɛndəʊˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. a toxin contained within the protoplasm of an organism, esp a bacterium, and liberated only at death

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• endotoxic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of endotoxin

First recorded in 1900–05; endo- + toxin

Compare meaning

How does endotoxin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endotoxin vs. exotoxin

Example Sentences

"Endotoxins significantly decreased in homes where cockroaches were eliminated. This paper shows that the cockroach is the most important depositor of endotoxin in infested homes."

From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025

After the pharmacist first testified the drugs are tested for endotoxins, the investigation found he later said he didn’t know endotoxin testing was required, Henry wrote.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2023

The European Pharmacopeia approved rFC for endotoxin testing last year.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2021

Scientists harnessed nature’s ingenuity, using crab blood to make so-called amebocyte lysate endotoxin tests which, by the 1970s, began displacing tests on rabbits that were injected with medicine then monitored for fever.

From Reuters • Aug. 1, 2019

Extracts of the hemocytes can be made to jell by adding extremely small amounts of endotoxin.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas