pesticide

[ pes-tuh-sahyd ]

/ ˈpɛs təˌsaɪd /

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noun

a chemical preparation for destroying plant, fungal, or animal pests.

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Also called biocide.

Origin of pesticide

First recorded in 1935–40; pest + -i- + -cide

OTHER WORDS FROM pesticide

pes·ti·cid·al, adjective

Words nearby pesticide

Pestalozzi, pester, pester power, pesthole, pesthouse, pesticide, pestiferous, pestilence, pestilent, pestilential, pestle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use pesticide in a sentence

Humans cause habitat loss, produce pesticides, and import non-native species.
We Crush, Poison, and Destroy Insects at Our Own Peril - Issue 95: Escape|John Hainze|January 20, 2021|Nautilus
As I began to research the industry more, I realized that tampon manufacturers aren’t required to disclose a list of ingredients and that they can contain pesticides, glue, and even bleach.
The period-care startup nixing the stigmas and taboos around menstruation|Rachel King|January 10, 2021|Fortune
In the past two decades, Oregon environmental regulators identified industrial logging as a risk to more than 170 public water systems, listing clear-cutting, road building and pesticide spraying as potential sources of contamination.
Timber Tax Cuts Cost Oregon Towns Billions. Then Polluted Water Drove Up the Price.|by Tony Schick, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Rob Davis, The Oregonian/OregonLive|January 1, 2021|ProPublica
Organic cotton is excellent for all skin types, and has the bonus feature of putting fewer pesticides into the environment during production.
Best sheets: Choose the right bed linens for a good night’s sleep|Carsen Joenk|December 18, 2020|Popular-Science

This led to the Rice Harmony Collective, which revived traditional techniques like “rice duck fish” agriculture, where fish and ducks in the rice paddy act as a natural pesticide.
“He put QR-coded wristbands on each of the chickens”|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Those might include BPA (which is found in many plastics), pesticide residue, and both legal and not-so-legal drugs.
5 Healthier Ways to Detox (That Aren’t Juice Cleanses)|DailyBurn|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Genetically modified seeds were supposed to liberate corn farmers from using pesticide to combat rootworms.
Farmers Turn to Pesticide as Insects Resist Genetically Modified Crops|Daniel Gross|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Monsanto corporation produces a popular pesticide called Roundup.
Supreme Court Supports Monsanto in Patent Dispute|Paul Campos|May 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We commonly ingest pesticide residue on non-organic produce.
Should Pregnant Women Ditch SSRIs, Microwaves and Cellphones?|Anneli Rufus|November 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In many rural Chinese homes, a jar of pesticide—often a variety banned in Western countries—sits in the family outhouse.
China's Female Suicide Mystery|Megan Shank|June 16, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The laws and recommendations for pesticide application may have changed since the articles were written.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Second Annual Meeting|Northern Nut Growers Association
We have already ordered a patrol column of two hundred fully-armed pesticide robots to destroy the animals.
The Asses of Balaam|Gordon Randall Garrett
All through the wooded area, he could see occasional members of the pesticide robots.
The Asses of Balaam|Gordon Randall Garrett
Within minutes, more and more of the pesticide robots were swarming towards and into the clearing.
The Asses of Balaam|Gordon Randall Garrett
Two hundred pesticide robots were ranged around the perimeter of the clearing, their weapons facing inward.
The Asses of Balaam|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for pesticide

pesticide

/ (ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd) /

noun

a chemical used for killing pests, esp insects and rodents

Derived forms of pesticide

pesticidal, 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

Medical definitions for pesticide

pesticide

[ pĕs′tĭ-sīd′ ]

A chemical used to kill pests, especially insects.

Scientific definitions for pesticide

pesticide

[ pĕs′tĭ-sīd′ ]

A chemical used to kill harmful animals or plants. Pesticides are used especially in agriculture and around areas where humans live. Some are harmful to humans, either from direct contact or as residue on food, or are harmful to the environment because of their high toxicity, such as DDT (which is now banned in many countries). Pesticides include fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and rodenticides. See more at fungicide herbicide insecticide.

pesticide

Origin of pesticide

OTHER WORDS FROM pesticide

Words nearby pesticide

Words related to pesticide

How to use pesticide in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pesticide

Derived forms of pesticide

Medical definitions for pesticide

Scientific definitions for pesticide