toxin

[ tok-sin ]

noun

1. 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

/ ˈtɒksɪn /

noun

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

toxin

/ tŏk′sĭn /

1. 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.
2. Compare antitoxin

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxin¹

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

Synonym Study

See poison.

Example Sentences

The defendant, of Old School Close in Banks, is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

From BBC

Thomas Kwan, 53, was posing as a community nurse giving a coronavirus booster jab when he injected Patrick O'Hara, 71, with a toxin in Newcastle in January.

From BBC

Axel Rudakubana appeared in court on Tuesday to face charges of producing a biological toxin and possession of a document likely be useful in terrorism.

From BBC

They include production of a biological toxin contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 and possession a PDF document of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing to or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

From BBC

He has charged with production of a biological toxin contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.

From BBC

Related Words

• contamination
• germ
• infection
• venom
• virus