herbicide

noun

her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth
herbicidal adjective
herbicidally adverb

Examples of herbicide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The department said all herbicides used in the program are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 No pesticides or herbicides were used on the wreath, and it can be hung indoors or outdoors under a covering. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024 Educational signs at sites along the trail encourage visitors to help save the butterflies by planting native milkweed and nectar plants and reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024 Which molecule is going to be the best to give resistance to this herbicide or this insect? Nick Rockel, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2024 The American Cancer Society says the cause of most lymphomas is unknown, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been linked to risk factors, including exposure to certain chemicals in herbicides and insecticides. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024 Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your yard because those are so damaging to pollinators and other beneficial insects. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 In other cases, the autonomy enables the machine to be more precise in performing the job at hand, such as applying herbicide. Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In parts of California and much of the Great Basin, land owners have declared war on pinyon pines and juniper trees, clearing them from rangelands with chains, bulldozers, saws and herbicides. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herbicide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin herba + International Scientific Vocabulary -cide

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herbicide was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near herbicide

Cite this Entry

“Herbicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbicide. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

herbicide

noun
her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: a chemical substance used to destroy or stop plant growth
herbicidal adjective

Medical Definition

herbicide

noun
her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth
herbicidal adjective
herbicidally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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