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
That’s the decrease in America’s butterfly population since 2000 — a result of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, according to a new study.
—Daniel Wine, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
The study says that the use of pesticides (especially insecticides), habitat loss through land development and climate change are all contributing to the loss of butterflies, as the insects' breeding patterns and food sources are disrupted.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Control Asian psyllids; apply an insecticide labeled for citrus at each flush of growth.
68.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Fire ants are active; use an insecticide to treat the entire lawn following label instructions.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
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Daniel Wine, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
The study says that the use of pesticides (especially insecticides), habitat loss through land development and climate change are all contributing to the loss of butterflies, as the insects' breeding patterns and food sources are disrupted.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Control Asian psyllids; apply an insecticide labeled for citrus at each flush of growth.
68.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
Fire ants are active; use an insecticide to treat the entire lawn following label instructions.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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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