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

While some issues are known—for example, habitat loss, non-native plants, artificial light at night, climate and pesticides—scientists need to know a lot more about the drivers and consequences of the decline to conserve insects while protecting human needs. —Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

Reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, raising cattle on grass instead of grain—these may sound like community-minded, environmentally friendly options. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

The global Pesticide Atlas reports that pesticide use increased by 80 percent from 1990 and 2017. —Kate Raphael, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2025

Pineapples, sweet corn, avocados, papaya, and onions have some of the lowest amounts of pesticide residues based on EWG's testing. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 20 June 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