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

However, the flip side is that some are so powerful that these pesticides also contribute to the decline in the abundance of insects and species. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

While using a vinegar rinse can be beneficial for pesticide-heavy items like berries or grapes, plain water is usually sufficient for avocados. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, which organizes the official Western Monarch Count, cites climate change, pesticide use, and loss of overwintering habitat as reasons for monarch decline. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025

Canned spray pesticide meant for household use was stored under the front counter. —Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025

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