Meanings
plural malathions
- countableuncountableAn organophosphorus insecticide, Diethyl [(dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)-thio]butanedioate.
"Although effective in degrading pesticides with P-O bonds, washing of the vegetables sprayed with the thiolester organophosphate insecticide malathion with the enzyme did not yield any improved degradation."
1 more example
Ecoparasite control, with appropriate concentrations of carbaryl, malathion, or pyrethrin dusts, is permissible if the agent is applied externally to both test and control animals not less than seven days prior to the start of the test.
1983, D. E. Kaukeinen, Vertebrate Pest Control and Management Materials, page 102Synonyms: carbophos, maldison, mercaptothion
Synonyms & antonyms
nounAn organophosphorus insecticide, Diethyl [(dimethoxyphosphinothioyl)-thio]butanedioate.
Origin
From malate + -thion. Coined as a trade name.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
malathion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malathion
“malathion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malathion. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “malathion,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malathion.
Source: malathion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.