pesticide

[pes-tuh-sahyd]

noun

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

pesticide

/ ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd /

noun

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

pesticide

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

Other Word Forms

• pesticidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pesticide¹

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

Example Sentences

If agricultural or construction waste is used, it can include nasty chemicals from wood treatments and pesticides.

From Los Angeles Times

In white coverall suits and full-face respirators, hazmat workers went property by property sifting through the ashes to dredge up lead-acid batteries, tins of paint thinner and pesticide canisters.

From Los Angeles Times

They argued that painting cows could reduce pesticide use while preventing more livestock from health problems associated with bites.

From BBC

Some of the communities have identified pesticides, open burning, road dust and farming operations as among their air priorities.

From Los Angeles Times

To avoid using pesticides, an army of volunteers remove the beautiful bugs by hand.

From BBC

Related Words

• defoliant 
• fungicide 
• insecticide