herbicide

1 of 2

noun

her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth

herbicidal

ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

herbicidally

ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsī-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

herbicidal

2 of 2

adjective

her·​bi·​ci·​dal ¦(h)ər-bə-¦sī-dᵊl 

1

: of or relating to an herbicide

2

: having the ability to destroy plants

herbicidal agents

herbicidally adverb

A gene expression profile of a compound identified as herbicidally active in the greenhouse is compared with the already existing profiles in the database.

—Modern Methods in Crop Protection Research, 2012

Examples of herbicide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Another effective herbicide treatment involves drilling holes 8 inches deep into the stump and pouring herbicide into the holes. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Duke Energy and the states also use herbicides to control weeds. — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

This is best addressed using a pre-emergent herbicide like Manfredini’s favorite. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 29 July 2026

And although farmland in the Midwest was once a reliable (if accidental) incubator for milkweed, the development of Roundup Ready crops in the ’90s allowed more promiscuous use of herbicides. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin herba + International Scientific Vocabulary -cide

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for herbicide

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

Kids Definition

herbicide

noun

her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd 

: a chemical substance used to destroy or stop plant growth

herbicidal

ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

herbicide

noun

her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth

herbicidal

ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective

herbicidally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb