Toxin Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：poison from living organisms (toxin)

toxin 🔊

/ˈtɑːksɪn/

A poison that comes from living things, like animals, plants, or bacteria.

Toxin illustration: rattlesnake venom droplet on fang, showing biological poison source

poison from living organisms 🔊

➕

/ˈpɔɪzən frəm ˈlɪvɪŋ ˈɔːrɡənɪzəmz/

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced naturally by living organisms such as plants, animals, or microorganisms, which can cause harm when ingested or absorbed.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'toxicum' meaning poison, related to Greek 'toxikon' (arrow poison).

💡 Mnemonic

Toxin sounds like 'toxic in' – imagine a toxic substance inside a living organism.

📖 Example

Some wild mushrooms contain a powerful toxin that can make you very sick if you eat them. 🔊 Some wild mushrooms contain a powerful toxin that can make you very sick if you eat them.

🔗 Collocations

bacterial toxin – a toxin produced by bacteria

toxin level – the amount or concentration of toxin present

detoxify toxins – to remove or neutralize toxins from the body

🔄 Synonyms

poison (n.) – a substance that can cause illness or death when ingested or absorbed

venom (n.) – a toxin secreted by animals, especially snakes or insects, for defense or hunting

contaminant (n.) – a substance that makes something impure or harmful, but not necessarily biological in origin

🚫 Antonyms

antidote (n.) – a substance that counteracts the effects of a poison or toxin

🌱 Derivatives

toxic (adj.) – poisonous or harmful

toxicity (n.) – the degree to which a substance is poisonous

detoxify (v.) – to remove toxic substances from

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'toxin' originates from Greek 'toxikon,' meaning 'poison for arrows,' derived from 'toxon' (bow). It entered English via Latin, reflecting ancient use of biological poisons in warfare.