herbicide

American  

[hur-buh-sahyd, ur-] / ˈhɜr bəˌsaɪd, ˈɜr- /

noun

1. a substance or preparation for killing plants, especially weeds.

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herbicide British  

/ ˈhɜːbɪˌsaɪd /

noun

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

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herbicide Scientific  

/ hûr′bĭ-sīd′,ûr′- /

1. A pesticide used to kill weeds. Paraquat is a herbicide.

2. Compare fungicide insecticide rodenticide

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Other Word Forms

• herbicidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of herbicide

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

Example Sentences

Marrero said that while the condition could not be diagnosed, he believed the patients had elevated levels of certain substances -- like herbicides or toxic metals -- in their systems, suggesting an environmental cause for the illness.

From Barron's

Monsanto developed the herbicide, as well as crop seeds genetically engineered to withstand it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Marrero said he had observed an uptick in cases in late summer and early autumn — forestry spraying season — and he zeroed in on a controversial herbicide called glyphosate.

From BBC

The fifth substance, glufosinate, is an herbicide widely used on potatoes.

From Barron's

The chemicals shown to damage gut bacteria include pesticides such as herbicides and insecticides commonly applied to crops.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide
• pesticide