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

Examples of insecticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The California Department of Public Health recommends contacting a licensed pest control company to control the infestation and using heat treatments and insecticides to target bedbugs. — Kate Linderman, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Sticky traps are an easy to way to reduce fly populations without insecticides. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 10 July 2026

To control earwigs, reduce moisture, seal entry points, and use traps, diatomaceous earth, natural repellents, or insecticides. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026

Because dogs stay low and sniff constantly, fertilizers, weed killers and insecticides reach them easily. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insecticide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 

: a chemical used to kill insects

insecticidal

(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

insecticide

noun

in·​sec·​ti·​cide in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 

: an agent that destroys insects

insecticidal

(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective