insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 

plural insecticides

: an agent that destroys one or more species of insects

broadly : an agent that destroys insects as well as other small pests (such as mites or nematodes)

Aphids, mealybugs, and cyclamen mites are all common problems and can be controlled with any low-toxicity insecticide sold specifically for houseplants.

—Horticulture

Examples of insecticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Livestock and pet owners should use pest control strategies, such as maintaining clean spaces for their animals and using insecticides, barn treatments and fly traps, to try to keep flies away from their animals. — Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Stokes said these home remedies can be very effective and cautioned people against unnecessarily using insecticides to control earwigs. — Hannah Smith july 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 July 2026

Mosquitos will be treated with Zenivex E20, one of the safest insecticides approved for use by the state department of environmental protection, according to Allegheny County Health Department. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 21 July 2026

That’s a big reason to go slowly and think hard before spraying any insecticides in the garden. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insecticide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 

: a chemical used to kill insects

insecticidal

(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 

: an agent that destroys insects

insecticidal

(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective