herbicide

[hur-buh-sahyd, ur-]

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noun

a substance or preparation for killing plants, especially weeds.

Origin of herbicide

First recorded in 1895–1900; herb + -i- + -cide

Related formsher·bi·cid·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for herbicide

pesticide, fungicide, defoliant, insecticide, weedkiller, DDT, paraquat

Examples from the Web for herbicide

Contemporary Examples of herbicide

The most widely planted type of biotech crop is engineered to withstand application of an herbicide to kill nearby weeds.
The Stealth Threat to the World's Food Supply
Bill Freese
August 11, 2009

Historical Examples of herbicide

Bags of fertilizer can be put on display, as can vials of penicillin, and jars of herbicide.
Agricultural Implements and Machines in the Collection of the National Museum of History and Technology
John T. Schlebecker

British Dictionary definitions for herbicide

herbicide

noun

a chemical that destroys plants, esp one used to control weeds

Derived Formsherbicidal, 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

Word Origin and History for herbicide

1888, originally a trademark name, from herb + -cide.

herbicide in Science

herbicide

[hûr′bĭ-sīd′, ûr′-]

A pesticide used to kill weeds. Paraquat is a herbicide. Compare fungicide insecticide rodenticide.