organophosphate

American

[awr-guh-noh-fos-feyt, awr-gan-uh‑] / ˌɔr gə noʊˈfɒs feɪt, ɔrˌgæn ə‑ /

noun

Biochemistry. any of a variety of organic compounds that contain phosphorus and often have intense neurotoxic activity: originally developed as nerve gases, now widely used as insecticides and fire retardants.

organophosphate British

/ ɔːˌɡænəʊˈfɒsfeɪt /

noun

any of a group of organic compounds containing phosphate groups and used as a pesticide

"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

Etymology

Origin of organophosphate

First recorded in 1945–50; organo- + phosphate

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.

These samples reflected a wide range of genetic variation and life exposures, including flu; HIV-1, MRSA, MSSA, and SARS-CoV-2 infections; anthrax vaccination; and exposure to organophosphate pesticides.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 2026

Another, an organophosphate called tributyl phosphate, was right at the limit, according to a Navy toxicologist’s review of the findings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 14, 2025

About 20% of conventional blueberries had residues of an organophosphate that the EPA considers of particular risk to children.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

The EPA effectively banned another organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos, in 2021, based in part on evidence linking it to ADHD, autism and reduced IQ in children.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2024

Some require as little as 6 grams per hectare, compared with several kilograms of the older organophosphate and carbonate pesticides.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 1, 2021

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