pesticide
[ pes-tuh-sahyd ]
/ ˈpɛs təˌsaɪd /
noun
a chemical preparation for destroying plant, fungal, or animal pests.
Also called
biocide.
OTHER WORDS FROM pesticide
pes·ti·cid·al, adjectiveWords nearby pesticide
pestalozzi,
pester,
pester power,
pesthole,
pesthouse,
pesticide,
pestiferous,
pestilence,
pestilent,
pestilential,
pestle
Example sentences from the Web for pesticide
British Dictionary definitions for pesticide
pesticide
/ (ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd) /
noun
a chemical used for killing pests, esp insects and rodents
Derived forms of pesticide
pesticidal, adjectiveMedical definitions for pesticide
pesticide
[ pĕs′tĭ-sīd′ ]
n.
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.