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

Organic pesticides can still have environmental impacts because they are designed to control living organisms. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026

The previous version of BCI’s P&C covered soil health, biodiversity and natural habitats, water, pesticides and fertilizer use, along with livestock when relevant. —Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026

Bayer contends federal pesticide laws preempt failure-to-warn claims under state laws, because states cannot require additional labeling. —ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026

The Environmental Working Group found that potatoes were one of the top vegetables to contain pesticide residues. —Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 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
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

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