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

For both women, their efforts are a small way to combat the devastation human activity has brought to monarch butterfly populations, including climate change, deforestation and heavy pesticide use. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025

The experts there suggested neem oil, which is a natural pesticide that does not contain harmful chemicals. —Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2025

These include light pollution, urban development, the use of pesticides and other chemicals sprayed in yards, and climate change. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

On food safety generally, Kennedy appears to be at odds with director Zeldin’s decisions to deregulate pesticides. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 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