biocide

[ bahy-uh-sahyd ]

/ ˈbaɪ əˌsaɪd /

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noun

any chemical that destroys life by poisoning, especially a pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide.

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Origin of biocide

First recorded in 1945–50; bio- + -cide

OTHER WORDS FROM biocide

bi·o·cid·al, adjective

Words nearby biocide

biochemical pathways, biochemical profile, biochemistry, biochip, biocidal, biocide, bioclastic, bioclean, bioclimatic, bioclimatology, biocoenology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use biocide in a sentence

Unfortunately, the massive use of industrial biocides in vineyards seriously harms the environment and reduces the soils' ability to sequester greenhouse gases.
Wine critics should consider a bottle’s social and environmental impact, too, one vintner says|Dave McIntyre|July 2, 2021|Washington Post

British Dictionary definitions for biocide

biocide

/ (ˈbaɪəˌsaɪd) /

noun

a chemical, such as a pesticide, capable of killing living organisms

Derived forms of biocide

biocidal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for biocide

biocide

[ bī′ə-sīd′ ]

A chemical agent, such as a pesticide or herbicide, that is capable of destroying living organisms.