pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpe-stə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy pests

pesticidal

ˌpe-stə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of pesticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The California Department of Public Health makes explicit it is not yet known whether pesticides or other chemicals created an exposure risk in Ladera Ranch. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Gonzalo also grows vanilla, and Christiansen talks excitedly about the tiny melipona bee involved in its propagation and the lengths the farm goes to protect its ecosystem from pesticides. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Detox Denim eliminates synthetic pesticides and harsh chemicals and prioritizes materials and designs engineered for longevity. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Think about environmental regulations, and limits on and banning certain pesticides. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pesticide

• anti-pesticide

Rhymes for pesticide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• bisulphide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide

Kids Definition

pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpes-tə-ˌsīd 

: a substance used to destroy pests

pesticidal

ˌpes-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

pesticide

noun

pes·​ti·​cide ˈpes-tə-ˌsīd 

: an agent used to destroy pests