herbicide

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

Examples of herbicide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His opponent is the incumbent, Mike Naig, a former lobbyist for Monsanto, the industrial giant that marketed Roundup, a weed killer that in some cases contains the controversial herbicide glyphosate. — Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

The community homeowners’ association and the Capistrano Unified School District both paused the use of certain pesticides and herbicides at high-use areas while reviews were underway. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Have the weeds identified and matched with the most effective herbicide. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Many of these bulbs will naturally spread over time, but using pre-emergent herbicides can prevent this. — Paul Cappeillo, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin herba + International Scientific Vocabulary -cide

First Known Use

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