biological control

noun

1
: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
2
: an agent used in biological control

Examples of biological control in a Sentence

She practices biological control in her gardening. She uses biological controls in her garden.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Desperate for an answer, scientists looked across the Pacific to Hawaii, where cane toads (Rhinella marina) were being hailed as biological control agents. Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 What makes lady beetles effective natural enemies in preventative biological control? Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024 For large infestations, use a biological control agent instead. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2024 Finally, if the caterpillar infestation becomes too extensive, Dr. Ghimire recommends Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is a biological control for Lepidoptera species of moths and butterflies. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for biological control 

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biological control was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near biological control

Cite this Entry

“Biological control.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological%20control. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

biological control

noun
: attack upon pests by interference with their ecology (as by introduction of parasites)

Medical Definition

biological control

noun
1
: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
2
: an agent (such as pyrethrum) used in biological control

More from Merriam-Webster on biological control

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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