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

Mark Hoddle, a biological control specialist and principal investigator at the UC Riverside Department of Entomology, previously told the La Jolla Light that the palm weevil will colonize a tree — particularly Canary Island date palms — and attract other weevils by releasing a pheromone. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Biological Control Only Fanned The Flames Of Extinction In an effort to control the burgeoning rat population, conservationists introduced Tasmanian masked owls (Tyto novaehollandiae) to Lord Howe Island between 1922 and 1930 as a form of biological control. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

The Asian lady beetle is native to eastern Asia but was introduced to the United States and other parts of the world in the early 20th century as a biological control agent for aphids and other pests. —Marie Woodward, Hartford Courant, 9 Nov. 2024

Nematodes are microscopic worms and great examples of biological control agents. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for biological control

• diethylstilbestrol
• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole

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