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
Horticulture Examples of insecticide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Best Moth Repellant In the old days, people used mothballs as an insecticide.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Apply insecticide to soil to control or eliminate an armadillo's food source, though a dwindling food supply can encourage armadillos to root more for a new source.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
As another preemptive step, which may be easier than physically sealing gaps around your house, spray pyrethroid insecticides around any openings into the home.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Iowa State researchers said spraying pyrethroid insecticides, such as Permethrin or Esfenvalerate, on the outside of buildings when the beetles appear may help prevent pest entry, especially for large infestations.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Apply insecticide to soil to control or eliminate an armadillo's food source, though a dwindling food supply can encourage armadillos to root more for a new source.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
As another preemptive step, which may be easier than physically sealing gaps around your house, spray pyrethroid insecticides around any openings into the home.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Iowa State researchers said spraying pyrethroid insecticides, such as Permethrin or Esfenvalerate, on the outside of buildings when the beetles appear may help prevent pest entry, especially for large infestations.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insecticide
noun
in·sec·ti·cide
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd
: a chemical used to kill insects
insecticidal
adjective
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl
Medical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share