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
Farmers began to spray crops with DDT, one of the first modern insecticides.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
And some travelers, especially those going to the Maldives, Australia, and other countries that spray insecticide and disinfectant on arriving flights, wrap their luggage in plastic to protect their contents from the chemicals.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Best Practices To Protect Pollinators While most gardeners are aware of the impact insecticides have on pollinators and other beneficial organisms, many are surprised to learn the herbicides also harm pollinators.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Newborn deaths are up because bat numbers are down so farmers use more insecticides.
—Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
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Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
And some travelers, especially those going to the Maldives, Australia, and other countries that spray insecticide and disinfectant on arriving flights, wrap their luggage in plastic to protect their contents from the chemicals.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Best Practices To Protect Pollinators While most gardeners are aware of the impact insecticides have on pollinators and other beneficial organisms, many are surprised to learn the herbicides also harm pollinators.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Newborn deaths are up because bat numbers are down so farmers use more insecticides.
—Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 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
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