herbicide

noun

her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth
herbicidal adjective
herbicidally adverb

Examples of herbicide in a Sentence

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.
The industry claims that there are few alternative herbicides that can be effectively used in the large-scale control of weeds. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Using herbicides early can have the best impact on keeping grasses and weeds from becoming a problem in your flower beds. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 July 2025 In particular, herbicides like Monsanto’s Roundup and the spread of agriculture have reduced populations of milkweed plants, the only food source for monarch caterpillars. Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2025 This technology is arriving just in time, as growers across the country face a shortage of available workers and weeds that are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for herbicide

Word History

Etymology

Latin herba + International Scientific Vocabulary -cide

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herbicide was in 1899

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herbicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbicide. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

herbicide

noun
her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: a chemical substance used to destroy or stop plant growth
herbicidal adjective

Medical Definition

herbicide

noun
her·​bi·​cide ˈ(h)ər-bə-ˌsīd How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
: an agent used to destroy or inhibit plant growth
herbicidal adjective
herbicidally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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