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
The chief causes of the decline include habitat destruction, drier and hotter climate because of climate change and insecticide use.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Control Asian psyllids; apply an insecticide labeled for citrus at each flush of growth.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, time-sensitive measures like spraying homes with insecticide, which is usually slated to begin before the rainy seasons, have been knocked off course.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
In Uganda, the national government has stopped spraying insecticide and distributing bed nets to pregnant women and young kids; during the country’s next rainy season, which spans from March to May, malaria cases and deaths may spike.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
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Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Control Asian psyllids; apply an insecticide labeled for citrus at each flush of growth.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Now, time-sensitive measures like spraying homes with insecticide, which is usually slated to begin before the rainy seasons, have been knocked off course.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
In Uganda, the national government has stopped spraying insecticide and distributing bed nets to pregnant women and young kids; during the country’s next rainy season, which spans from March to May, malaria cases and deaths may spike.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 18 Apr. 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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