fumigate

American

[fyoo-mi-geyt] / ˈfyu mɪˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object)

fumigated, fumigating

to expose to smoke or fumes, as in disinfecting or exterminating roaches, ants, etc.

fumigate British

/ ˈfjuːmɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

to treat (something contaminated or infected) with fumes or smoke

"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

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.

At that time the Salvation Army said pest control was brought in to fumigate the rooms affected.

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

Six farms, each of which obtained permits to fumigate, also are named in the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 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

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