pesticide

American  

[pes-tuh-sahyd] / ˈpɛs təˌsaɪd /

noun

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

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pesticide British  

/ ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. a chemical used for killing pests, esp insects and rodents

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pesticide Scientific  

/ pĕs′tĭ-sīd′ /

1. 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.

2. See more at fungicide herbicide insecticide

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Other Word Forms

• pesticidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of pesticide

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

Example Sentences

But their populations are under severe pressure from poor nutrition, climate change, parasites, disease, and pesticides.

From Science Daily

Meanwhile, spinach held the list’s top spot for the second year in a row, containing more pesticide residues by weight than any other type of produce.

From Salon

The high level of pesticides in drinking water because of pig farming and agriculture has also become a concern for voters, with some parties including Frederiksen's calling for a ban.

From BBC

Releasing sterilized males involves no pesticides, and also leverages the insect’s biology: Males in lust are adept at finding females.

From Los Angeles Times

The research, published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, combines large-scale human data with laboratory experiments that show how the pesticide harms dopamine-producing brain cells.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide