toxicity

American  

[tok-sis-i-tee] / tɒkˈsɪs ɪ ti /

noun

toxicities plural

1. the quality, relative degree, or specific degree of being toxic or poisonous.

   to determine the toxicity of arsenic.

---

toxicity British  

/ tɒkˈsɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the degree of strength of a poison

2. the state or quality of being poisonous

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hypertoxicity
  noun
• nontoxicity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• toxicities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of toxicity

First recorded in 1880–85; toxic + -ity

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toxicity toxicities

They’ve ruled out lead toxicity and the presence of objects like fishing hooks and weights.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Simone's brother, Zak told BBC Newsbeat he found the conclusion "pretty ridiculous", as a death certificate issued in Laos lists "methanol toxicity" as one of her causes of death.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Although some particles briefly accumulated in other organs such as the spleen, the researchers found no signs of toxicity outside the tumors.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

“We think it has to do with the metabolic toxicity associated with the lack of exercise,” says Dr. David Alter, a cardiologist who teaches at the University of Toronto.

From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026

Its informal name, dead-man's tree, is owed to its extreme toxicity; nearly every part of the umdhlebi tree is poisonous.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Babies were especially vulnerable to these toxicities, resulting in high rates of infants with birth defects and illnesses.

From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2024

"This has the potential to reduce the significant toxicities associated with multi-drug regimens that are the standard for mycobacterial infections and hopefully lead to more rapid cures."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 27, 2024

But genetically modified wheat has never been grown for commercial purposes due to consumer fears that allergens or toxicities could emerge in a staple used worldwide for bread, pasta and pastries.

From Reuters ● Mar. 3, 2023

The company Fujifilm Irvine Scientific quietly recalled four production lots of the oil used to culture embryos on Jan. 16 after complaints of problems from clinics and its internal investigation discovered the toxicities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2023

About 10% of those who get checkpoint inhibitors are hospitalized with immune toxicities.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 30, 2022