organophosphate

American  

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

noun

1. 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.

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organophosphate British  

/ ɔːˌɡænəʊˈfɒsfeɪt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of organophosphate

First recorded in 1945–50; organo- + phosphate

Example Sentences

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

A small fraction of conventional watermelon and green bean samples — 3% and 4%, respectively — tested positive for an especially concerning carbamate or organophosphate pesticide.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024

And many electronics and furniture include organophosphate flame retardants.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2024

Most of the pesticides detected on the Dirty Dozen are legal, but one exception is acephate, an organophosphate insecticide that is essentially prohibited for use on green beans but is still found on them.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 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