biocide
noun
bio·cide
ˈbī-ə-ˌsīd 
: a substance (such as an algicide or fungicide) that destroys or inhibits the growth or activity of living organisms
Sodium azide is an explosive, broad-spectrum biocide with toxicity comparable to sodium cyanide's.—
Janet Raloff
Janet RaloffExamples of biocide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists think decades of treatment with biocides in Lascaux led to the proliferation of a fungus called Fusarium solani that covered the cave like snow in a matter of days.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Some air duct cleaning professionals may also treat the inside of the ducts with a chemical biocide to kill microbiological contaminants; this service isn't always available, so check with the HVAC pros before starting the job.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
The agreement enables Rudolf exclusive marketing of products made with Heraeus Precious Metals’ AGXX technology—an alternative to conventional biocides like silver.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The first step in both thermal and RO desalination is to filter and chemically treat the seawater with biocides and coagulants to remove organics.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Yet, without a functional waste management system, plastic and other non- biodegradable trash accumulates on roadsides, mountain creeks and beaches, often seeping biocides that further degrade those ecosystems.
—Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
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Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Some air duct cleaning professionals may also treat the inside of the ducts with a chemical biocide to kill microbiological contaminants; this service isn't always available, so check with the HVAC pros before starting the job.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
The agreement enables Rudolf exclusive marketing of products made with Heraeus Precious Metals’ AGXX technology—an alternative to conventional biocides like silver.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The first step in both thermal and RO desalination is to filter and chemically treat the seawater with biocides and coagulants to remove organics.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Yet, without a functional waste management system, plastic and other non- biodegradable trash accumulates on roadsides, mountain creeks and beaches, often seeping biocides that further degrade those ecosystems.
—Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Biocide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biocide. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
biocide
noun
bio·cide
ˈbī-ə-ˌsīd
: a substance (as glutaraldehyde) that is destructive to many different organisms
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