fumigate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- fumigation noun
- fumigator noun
- fumigatory adjective
- unfumigated adjective
Etymology
Origin of fumigate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin fūmigātus, past participle of fūmigāre “to smoke, fumigate,” equivalent to fūm(us) “smoke” + -igāre, combining form of agere “to drive, do”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In response the Salvation Army told BBC News NI: "As soon as bed bugs were reported at Centenary House, we took immediate action to fumigate".
From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025
"Some people fumigate every three to five years because it doesn't protect structures from future infestations."
From Science Daily • May 31, 2024
In 2004, chemical manufacturers began to phase out methyl bromide, another chemical widely used to fumigate soils, because it harms Earth’s ozone layer.
From Science Magazine • May 25, 2023
Instead of trying to fumigate away the dangers lurking in the soil each year, growers can throw out last year’s substrate and put in a new batch.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2022
He hired a chemical company to fumigate the fields.
From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
