paraquat

American  

[par-uh-kwaht] / ˈpær əˌkwɑt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a toxic herbicide, C 1 2 H 1 4 N 2 ⋅2CH 3 SO 4 , applied to food and flower crops and to highway borders as a defoliant and weed-killer.

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Paraquat British  

/ ˈpærəˌkwɒt /

noun

1. a yellow extremely poisonous soluble solid used in solution as a weedkiller

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paraquat Scientific  

/ păr′ə-kwŏt′ /

1. A toxic compound used as a herbicide, especially in its colorless, dichloride form (C ₁₂ H ₁₄ Cl ₂ N ₂) or in its yellow, bismethyl sulfate form (C ₁₄ H ₂₀ N ₂ O ₈ S ₂). Paraquat is used primarily to control grass and weeds. Its use in the United States is restricted because of its high level of toxicity.

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Etymology

Origin of paraquat

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

Example Sentences

The federal government banned the use of the weedkiller paraquat on golf courses in 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal

California lawmakers have approved a bill that could help strengthen regulations around the use of paraquat, a powerful weedkiller associated with Parkinson’s disease and other serious health issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Assembly Bill 1963 — a bill seeking to ban the use of paraquat in California — is working its way through the state Legislature and will be heard by the Senate Appropriations committee in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Assembly Bill 1963 would sundown the use of the herbicide paraquat, which has been linked to Parkinson’s disease and other health issues, beginning in January 2026.

From Los Angeles Times

“California needs to be a leader in eliminating highly toxic pesticides like paraquat,” Friedman said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide
• pesticide