insecticide
noun
in·sec·ti·cide
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 
plural insecticides
: an agent that destroys one or more species of insects
broadly
: an agent that destroys insects as well as other small pests (such as mites or nematodes)
Aphids, mealybugs, and cyclamen mites are all common problems and can be controlled with any low-toxicity insecticide sold specifically for houseplants. —
Horticulture
Horticulture Examples of insecticide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fire ants are active; use an insecticide to treat the entire lawn following label instructions.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
In Uganda, for example, the National Malaria Control Program has paused spraying insecticide, program head Dr. Jimmy Opigo said.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Hang traps around the perimeter of your yard and use liquid insecticide to treat any areas where wasps might congregate to build a nest.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2024
His results were astonishing: Farms in regions hit by WNS used 31 percent more insecticides on their crops, compared to counties without the disease.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
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Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
In Uganda, for example, the National Malaria Control Program has paused spraying insecticide, program head Dr. Jimmy Opigo said.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Hang traps around the perimeter of your yard and use liquid insecticide to treat any areas where wasps might congregate to build a nest.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2024
His results were astonishing: Farms in regions hit by WNS used 31 percent more insecticides on their crops, compared to counties without the disease.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insecticide
noun
in·sec·ti·cide
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd
: a chemical used to kill insects
insecticidal
adjective
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl
Medical Definition
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