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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
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
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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
noun1
: 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biological control
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