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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌpestiˈcidal, adjective

Other Words From

• pesti·cidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pesticide¹

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

Example Sentences

Just as crop-devouring insects evolve to resist pesticides, cancer cells can increase their lethality by developing resistance to treatment.

From Science Daily

A new study reveals alarming risks that pesticides pose to ground-nesting bees, which are crucial for pollination and food production.

From Science Daily

“He doesn’t have much purchase on pesticides from his perch,” Cook said.

From Los Angeles Times

He has said that he wants to overhaul the systems that oversee pesticides, herbicides, food additives and pharmaceuticals.

From BBC

A recent study published in Cancer: An International Interdisciplinary Journal of the American Cancer Society found that 22 pesticides “showed consistent, direct associations with prostate cancer incidence” across two population cohorts.

From Salon

Related Words

• defoliant
• fungicide
• insecticide