biocide

American  

[bahy-uh-sahyd] / ˈbaɪ əˌsaɪd /

noun

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

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biocide British  

/ ˈbaɪəˌsaɪd /

noun

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

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biocide Scientific  

/ bī′ə-sīd′ /

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

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Other Word Forms

• biocidal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of biocide

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biocide

No one is planning to inflict massive biocide like Thanos in the Marvel Avengers films.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 13, 2023

Ridgway speculated that the copper material of the box had acted as a fungicide and biocide to kill microorganisms that might otherwise have eaten the paper items within.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 28, 2021

They manage to evade our assaults, and evolve their way out of just about every biocide we throw at them.

From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2018

The biocide is sold over-the-counter to disinfect small areas of skin before surgery.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2017

Mr Lee says the government’s recent promise to catalogue the level of toxicity of every household biocide is impractical.

From Economist ● Jun. 9, 2016