malathion

American  

[mal-uh-thahy-on, ‑uhn] / ˌmæl əˈθaɪ ɒn, ‑ən /

noun

1. an organic phosphate insecticide, C 10 H 19 O 6 S 2 P, of relatively low toxicity for mammals.

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Malathion British  

/ ˌmæləˈθaɪɒn /

noun

1. a yellow organophosphorus insecticide used as a dust or mist for the control of house flies and garden pests. Formula: C 10 H 19 O 6 PS 2

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Etymology

Origin of malathion

First recorded in 1953

Example Sentences

A woman driving her 5-day-old Nissan Maxima was caught in a malathion shower on her way home to Rowland Heights, where her equally new car cover awaited.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2024

They began spot-spraying with a pesticide called malathion, which was about to become a household word.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2024

Health and environmental scientists are concerned about more than the direct impact of having potentially greater amounts of acephate and malathion on celery and other produce.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2024

And in March, the EPA released a draft assessment of another pesticide in the same class, malathion, that also proposes loosening restrictions based on similar tests.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2024

In addition, the same evolutionary process happens when newer pesticides, such as malathion, Sevin, or permethrin, are used.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy