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

Messinger notes that using an herbicide specifically labeled for Bermuda grass can be an effective control method. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026

But sedges can be eliminated from Florida lawns with herbicides available at garden centers. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Though designed for crops engineered to tolerate it, dicamba is widely considered a volatile herbicide because of its tendency to drift. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

In 2001, Fairfax lawmakers enacted a ban on all herbicides, insecticides and rodenticides on public land. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 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