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
As another preemptive step, which may be easier than physically sealing gaps around your house, spray pyrethroid insecticides around any openings into the home.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Crews will begin spraying insecticide from trucks within an expanded perimeter on Monday.
—Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024
That involves applying a soil drench of Imidacloprid systemic insecticide in mid-May.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2024
Four agrochemical companies now control the vast majority of commercial seeds in the U.S., along with most of the insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides sold for agricultural use, as well as the digital technology used for harvest.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecticide 
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Crews will begin spraying insecticide from trucks within an expanded perimeter on Monday.
—Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024
That involves applying a soil drench of Imidacloprid systemic insecticide in mid-May.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2024
Four agrochemical companies now control the vast majority of commercial seeds in the U.S., along with most of the insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides sold for agricultural use, as well as the digital technology used for harvest.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecticide
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insecticide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 5 Nov. 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
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