parathion

American  

[par-uh-thahy-on] / ˌpær əˈθaɪ ɒn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a deep-brown to yellow, poisonous liquid, C 1 0 H 1 4 NO 5 PS, used as an insecticide.

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parathion British  

/ ˌpærəˈθaɪɒn /

noun

1. a slightly water-soluble toxic oil, odourless and colourless when pure, used as an insecticide. Formula: C 10 H 14 NO 5 PS

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Etymology

Origin of parathion

First recorded in 1945–50; para- ¹ + thi- + -on(e)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parathion

The bees received pollen, water, and food contaminated with the pesticide methyl parathion.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

While parathion has been banned around the globe, somehow the tire industry continues to get away with using 6PPD despite its known devastating impacts to salmon and steelhead, especially in Puget Sound’s urban waterways.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2023

The other consists of the organic phosphates, and is represented by the reasonably familiar malathion and parathion.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 3, 2017

Colombia bans use of methyl parathion — one of the two pesticides Ms. Grayson mentioned — and effectively bans use of the other, aldicarb, on flowers, as well.

From Washington Post ● May 15, 2015

So may a laundress washing the clothing of such victims, which may have absorbed enough parathion to affect her.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson