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
Beyond lackluster performances and the persistence of pests, the insecticides harmed other wildlife.
—Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
City, state, and federal governments play a major role in helping insects, such as by passing legislation to limit habitat loss or certain insecticide chemicals.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024
But there are also steps that local health departments can take to safeguard public health, like testing pools of water for mosquito larvae and conducting public awareness and insecticide spraying campaigns when triple E is detected.
—Zoya Teirstein, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2024
Then apply insecticides, as needed, in May or June, before the eggs have a chance to hatch.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecticide 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
City, state, and federal governments play a major role in helping insects, such as by passing legislation to limit habitat loss or certain insecticide chemicals.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024
But there are also steps that local health departments can take to safeguard public health, like testing pools of water for mosquito larvae and conducting public awareness and insecticide spraying campaigns when triple E is detected.
—Zoya Teirstein, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2024
Then apply insecticides, as needed, in May or June, before the eggs have a chance to hatch.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecticide
Dictionary Entries Near insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share