toxicity

American  

[tok-sis-i-tee] / tɒkˈsɪs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

toxicities

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

   to determine the toxicity of arsenic.

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toxicity British  

/ tɒkˈsɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the degree of strength of a poison

2. the state or quality of being poisonous

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Other Word Forms

• hypertoxicity noun
• nontoxicity noun

Etymology

Origin of toxicity

First recorded in 1880–85; toxic + -ity

Example Sentences

The reference level of lead toxicity for children is 2.2 micrograms, according to the FDA.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The woman who was bitten, later identified as 46-year-old Gabriela Bautista of Moorpark, died March 19 as a result of rattlesnake venom toxicity, the Ventura County medical examiner’s office told KTLA.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

But he worries that the tenor and toxicity of social media commentary is putting women in particular off politics.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

"Although morpholinos themselves are not an option because of their toxicity, similar strategies, like antisense oligonucleotide therapies already used in other conditions, could potentially be developed for Rett syndrome."

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

For example, the now famous cranberry-weed-killer aminotriazole, or amitrol, is rated as having relatively low toxicity.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson