1960–65; para- 1 + quat(ernary), in reference to the bond between the two pyridyl groups, which is in the para position with respect to their quaternary nitrogen atoms
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We paid thousands of dollars to have it analyzed. … I mean, the paraquat thing was totally scientifically wrong.”
From Slate ● Dec. 23, 2025
The federal government banned the use of the weedkiller paraquat on golf courses in 2021.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
“In California, paraquat helps farmers control weeds in important crops, removing hazards for field work and preventing weeds from taking water and nutrients from crops.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
California is the nation’s top user of paraquat, spraying millions of pounds annually, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
“We would like to stress that paraquat is safe when used as directed,” Das said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
Paraquat is a herbicide commonly used on farms and in yards for weed control.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
Paraquat is manufactured by Syngenta, a Switzerland-based company that is owned by the Chinese government.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
He pointed to the most recent epidemiological study - carried out by UCLA's Department of Neurology and published this month - to find that Paraquat exposure increases the risk of Parkinson's Disease.
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2024
In a statement provided to the BBC, it said: "Despite decades of investigation and myriad epidemiological and laboratory studies, no scientist or doctor has ever concluded in a peer-reviewed scientific analysis that Paraquat causes Parkinson's."
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2024
Paraquat is 28 times more toxic than another controversial herbicide, Roundup, according to a report from the Pesticide Action Network.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 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.
