Synonyms

toxin

American

[tok-sin] / ˈtɒk sɪn /

noun

any poison produced by an organism, characterized by antigenicity in certain animals and high molecular weight, and including the bacterial toxins that are the causative agents of tetanus, diphtheria, etc., and such plant and animal toxins as ricin and snake venom.

toxin British

/ ˈtɒksɪn /

noun

any of various poisonous substances produced by microorganisms that stimulate the production of neutralizing substances (antitoxins) in the body See also endotoxin exotoxin
any other poisonous substance of plant or animal origin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

toxin Scientific

/ tŏk′sĭn /

A poisonous substance, especially one produced by a living organism. Toxins can be products or byproducts of ordinary metabolism, such as lactic acid, and they must be broken down or excreted before building up to dangerous levels. Toxins can facilitate survival, as with snake venom that kills or immobilizes prey, or cyanide produced by some plants as a defense against being eaten. Bacterial toxins can sometimes be neutralized with antitoxins.
Compare antitoxin

Related Words

See poison.

Etymology

Origin of toxin

First recorded in 1885–90; tox(ic) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An industrial hygiene firm found “serious and extensive” contamination by multiple toxins, including cyanide, lithium, lead, arsenic and beryllium, according to a report reviewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

Kennedy launched his “Make America Healthy Again” movement with promises to root out what he saw as toxins plaguing children.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is thought these bacteria are releasing toxins that damage the DNA inside bowel tissue, turning it cancerous.

From BBC

The disease develops when repeated or long-term liver damage -- caused by viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol use, metabolic disorders, toxins, or autoimmune disease -- triggers an overactive healing response.

From Science Daily

The product was recalled as they potentially contain the cereulide toxin, which is heat resistant and can cause nausea and vomiting, according to the food safety authority of Ireland.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023