# sarin

/sɑɹɪn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sarin
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a very dangerous chemical gas that can cause death or serious injury if inhaled. It is a type of nerve gas used in some types of chemical warfare.

For teachers: a highly toxic, colorless, and odorless nerve agent that functions as a cholinesterase inhibitor. It is a volatile liquid that evaporates quickly into a gas, causing rapid respiratory failure and death.

## Examples

- The military facility was destroyed to prevent the release of sarin.
- International treaties strictly prohibit the production and use of sarin and other chemical weapons in warfare.
- The chemical structure of sarin allows it to bind irreversibly to acetylcholinesterase, leading to a catastrophic accumulation of acetylcholine in the nervous system and subsequent paralysis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.