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
Baits contain insecticide that may not only kill the roach who ingests it but that has a secondary transfer to other roaches who may eat that roach’s waste or the roach itself, says Benson.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Use insecticides and bug spray when outdoors.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The area is significantly polluted with DDT, a chemical used as an insecticide that was banned in 1972.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
But the Mayo Clinic recommends that people living in high-risk places take a number of steps to protect themselves, including using netting with insecticide over their bed, using insecticides to kill insects inside their home, and using insect repellent on their body.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecticide
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.
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Use insecticides and bug spray when outdoors.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
The area is significantly polluted with DDT, a chemical used as an insecticide that was banned in 1972.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
But the Mayo Clinic recommends that people living in high-risk places take a number of steps to protect themselves, including using netting with insecticide over their bed, using insecticides to kill insects inside their home, and using insect repellent on their body.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share