-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
rodenticide
noun
ro·den·ti·cide
rō-ˈden-tə-ˌsīd
: an agent that kills, repels, or controls rodents
Examples of rodenticide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Flaco’s case, the rodenticides in his system could have turned a nonlethal injury into a fatal one.
—Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Toxicity tests also determined that Flaco had been exposed to four different anticoagulant rodenticides that are commonly used for rat control in New York City.
—Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Wilson told The Post that rodenticides can cause muscle weakness and hemorrhages when consumed by birds, and those side effects might have caused Flaco to fly into a building.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
After the fall, the bird was found to have had severe pigeon herpesvirus and four different anticoagulant rodenticides, or rat poison, within his system, according to the postmortem testing results released by the Central Park Zoo on March 25.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Being an environmental scientist, he’s deeply invested in bobcat conservation – bobcats eating prey that’s been poisoned by rodenticide is one of his big grievances – and wishes only good things for these cats living in the big city.
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Nowadays, these grounds are mowed just twice a year, and haven’t been doused with pesticides or rodenticides since 2018, which was when this 157-acre stretch of land stopped being the San Geronimo Golf Course, and began a journey toward becoming wild, or at least wilder, once again.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Cummings said the difference was the second-generation rodenticide vs. first-generation.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2024
Window, building and vehicle collisions, as well as lead and pesticide exposure due to hunting with lead ammunition and rodenticide use, were listed as among the top threats.
—Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rodenticide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near rodenticide
Cite this Entry
“Rodenticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rodenticide. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
rodenticide
noun
ro·den·ti·cide
rō-ˈdent-ə-ˌsīd
: a chemical substance used to kill rodents
Medical Definition
rodenticide
noun
ro·den·ti·cide
rō-ˈdent-ə-ˌsīd
: an agent that kills, repels, or controls rodents
More from Merriam-Webster on rodenticide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rodenticide
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share