thimerosal

noun
thi·​mer·​o·​sal | \ thī-ˈmer-ə-ˌsal How to pronounce thimerosal (audio) \

Definition of thimerosal

: a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic C9H9HgNaO2S used especially for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties

Examples of thimerosal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2001, vaccine makers removed thimerosal from all of the U.S. vaccines recommended for children under 6, except for the flu vaccine. Elizabeth Byrne, Shiying Cheng, Houston Chronicle, "Texas vaccine exemption rates have reached an all-time high. Did Texas make it too easy for parents," 12 June 2019 Her fellow lobbyist, Kennedy, has argued that vaccines, specifically those containing the element thimerosal, may cause autism, a view unsupported by scientific evidence and dismissed as a conspiracy theory by experts. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Jessica Biel joins vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy to oppose bill – but says she's not against vaccinations," 13 June 2019 Studies have shown no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines. Julie Washington, cleveland.com, "Cold or flu? Here's how to tell, plus your flu vaccine questions answered," 23 Jan. 2018 The flu vaccine does contain a preservative called thimerosal, which breaks down to ethylmercury once inside the body. Grace Donnelly, Fortune, "The History of the Flu Shot and Some Common Misconceptions," 19 Jan. 2018 While that may seem far-fetched, science has equally disproven the accusations of autism-causation and mercury poisoning through thimerosal. Madeleine Deliee, Woman's Day, "Could Anti-Vaxxers Turn Mumps Into the New Polio?," 13 Mar. 2017 Some have tried linking mercury – specifically thimerosal – with autism. Tony Hicks, The Mercury News, "Is Robert De Niro an anti-vaxxer?," 16 Feb. 2017 Mr. Kennedy in the past has raised doubts about thimerosal, a mercury-containing... Alex Berezow And Hank Campbell, WSJ, "Ignore Anti-Vaccine Hysteria, Mr. Trump," 10 Jan. 2017 Redwood started her mailing list on thimerosal with two posts in January 2000; Sara Solovitch, WIRED, "The Citizen Scientists," 1 Sep. 2001

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thimerosal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of thimerosal

1949, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for thimerosal

probably from thi- + mercury + -o- + salicylate

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More Definitions for thimerosal

thimerosal

noun
thi·​mer·​o·​sal | \ thī-ˈmer-ə-ˌsal How to pronounce thimerosal (audio) \

Medical Definition of thimerosal

: a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic C9H9HgNaO2S used especially for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties — see merthiolate