Definition

Noun: A colorless, toxic compound (CH₃Br) that exists as a gas or volatile liquid at room temperature, historically used extensively as a fumigant pesticide to control rodents, insects, nematodes, and weeds in agriculture and for soil and commodity quarantine treatment.

Usage

• As a subject: Methyl bromide is highly effective but ozone-depleting.
• As an object: Many countries have phased out the use of methyl bromide.
• With modifiers: Agricultural methyl bromide use has been restricted under the Montreal Protocol.

Examples

• The shipment was fumigated with methyl bromide before export.
• Due to its toxicity, handlers of methyl bromide require protective equipment.
• The global phase-out of methyl bromide began in 2005.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Regulatory Context: In environmental science and international treaties, "methyl bromide" specifically refers to an ozone-depleting substance controlled under the Montreal Protocol.
  • Example: The party reported a critical-use exemption for methyl bromide.

Variants and Related Words

• Bromomethane: The systematic IUPAC name for the same chemical compound (CH₃Br).
• Fumigant: A general term for a chemical pesticide that vaporizes to kill pests; methyl bromide is a type of fumigant.

Synonyms

• Bromomethane (primary technical synonym)
• CH₃Br (chemical formula)

Notes on Meaning

This term refers strictly to the specific chemical compound. Its primary historical meaning is as a broad-spectrum fumigant. In contemporary contexts, its meaning is heavily associated with its environmental impact and regulatory status as a phased-out substance.

Noun

1. a poisonous gas or liquid (CH3Br) used to fumigate rodents, worms, etc.