pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpe-stə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy pests

pesticidal

ˌpe-stə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of pesticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And during the 2024-2025 growing season, BCI Program partners established at least 19,900 demonstration plots and supported 11,000 bio-input or bio-control centers to give farmers access to synthetic pesticide and fertilizer alternatives. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Many modern pesticides are non-toxic and formulated with plant oils such as lemongrass, cinnamon, and garlic. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026

Unless grown organically, those plants may be exposed to pesticides. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

The same is true of the price of pesticide, which is brought into Gaza via informal channels and sold by traders at a steep markup. — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pesticide

• anti-pesticide

Rhymes for pesticide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• bisulphide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide

Kids Definition

pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpes-tə-ˌsīd 

: a substance used to destroy pests

pesticidal

ˌpes-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpes-tə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy pests