paraquat

[ par-uh-kwaht ]

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.

Paraquat

/ ˈpærəˌkwɒt /

noun

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

paraquat

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraquat¹

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

Environmental Protection Agency describes paraquat as highly toxic — noting that “one sip can kill” — yet California remains one of the nation’s top users of the chemical.

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

New California legislation seeks to permanently ban paraquat, a powerful and widely used weedkiller that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease and other serious health issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite health concerns, paraquat continues to be a popular herbicide in California and other parts of the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide
• pesticide