insecticide

[in-sek-tuh-sahyd]

noun

1. a substance or preparation used for killing insects.

2. the act of killing insects.

insecticide

/ ɪnˈsɛktɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. a substance used to destroy insect pests

insecticide

1. A pesticide used to kill insects. Chlordane and DDT are insecticides.

2. Compare fungicide herbicide rodenticide

Other Word Forms

• insecticidal adjective
• noninsecticidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insecticide¹

First recorded in 1860–65; insect + -i- + -cide

Example Sentences

Small farmers like Nkelane rarely have the means to buy tools or the chemical fertilisers and insecticides they deem necessary to improve their soil.

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The findings appear to confirm the theory that the Bocek family died after being exposed to the toxic insecticide as a result of a pest control treatment used by the hotel they were staying in.

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Those liquids included insecticides, and some of the baits included rodenticide blocks, according to the lawsuit.

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Their comprehensive review found consistent evidence that exposure to insecticides can negatively affect human health, particularly male reproductive health.

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Results showed a clear pattern: children with higher prenatal exposure to the insecticide displayed more pronounced structural and functional brain differences.

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Related Words

• defoliant 
• fungicide 
• pesticide