parathion

[ par-uh-thahy-on ]

noun

, Chemistry.

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

parathion

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parathion¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parathion¹

C20: from para- ¹+ thio- + -on

Example Sentences

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

These pesticides are already illegal — parathion was banned in Argentina in 1993, and a new law banning carbofuran and four other pesticides went into effect this past October — but they're widely used anyway.

From Salon

These pesticides are already illegal—parathion was banned in Argentina in 1993, and a new law banning carbofuran and four other pesticides went into effect this past October—but they’re widely used anyway.

From Scientific American

The banned pesticide was methyl parathion, the active ingredient in Penncap-M, which the company used on corn seed and research crops in Kihei.

From Washington Times

Law enforcement raids often find illegal farms that have dammed or diverted public streams and dumped dangerous pesticides including carbofuran, methyl parathion and aluminum phosphate, Becerra said.

From Los Angeles Times