NYT Dictionary

DIOXIN

/daɪˈɑksən/
Noundi-OX-indi-ox-in · 3 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026

Meaning

The unsaturated six-membered heterocycle having four carbon atoms, two oxygen atoms, and two double bonds (molecular formula C₄H₄O₂); 1,2-dioxin and 1,4-dioxin.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

PIE word *dwóh₁ From di- (prefix meaning ‘double; two’) + ox(ygen) + -in (suffix indicating a neutral chemical compound), a reference to the fact that the compound has two oxygen atoms.

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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