Pesticide: meaning, definitions and examples

🌿

Add to dictionary

pesticide

[ˈpɛstɪˌsaɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

chemical control

A pesticide is a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals.

Synonyms

fungicide, herbicide, insecticide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pesticide	This is a general term used to describe substances meant to kill pests, including insects, rodents, weeds, and fungi. It is used when referring to any chemical used to control harmful organisms. Farmers often use pesticides to protect their crops. To prevent an infestation, you might need to apply a pesticide.
insecticide	This word refers to chemicals used to kill insects. It is used in contexts where the goal is to manage insect populations that are harmful to plants, animals, or humans. The orchard owner used an insecticide to protect the fruit trees from pests. If you have a problem with ants in your house, an insecticide can help.
herbicide	This term is used for chemicals that specifically target and kill unwanted plants or weeds. It is often used in agriculture and gardening to maintain crop health by eliminating competing weeds. The farmer sprayed herbicide to get rid of the weeds in the cornfield. Many gardeners use herbicides to keep their flower beds free of unwanted plants.
fungicide	This term specifically refers to chemicals used to kill or inhibit fungi such as molds and mildews that are harmful to plants. Use this word when dealing with fungal infections in plants or materials. The gardener applied a fungicide to stop the mold from spreading. To prevent mildew in the greenhouse, a regular treatment with fungicide is necessary.

Examples of usage

Farmers often use pesticides to protect their crops from pests.
The use of pesticides has raised concerns about environmental impact.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

public health

A pesticide is a chemical used to control, repel, or kill organisms that can transmit diseases to humans.

Synonyms

disinfectant, insect repellent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pesticide	Used in agricultural and gardening settings to control or eliminate pests that can damage crops or plants. Farmers apply pesticide to their fields to protect the crops from insects. She used a pesticide to deal with the aphid infestation on her rose bushes.
insect repellent	Applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces to deter insects, often used during outdoor activities to avoid bites and stings. She applied insect repellent before going on a hike to avoid mosquito bites. They kept a bottle of insect repellent at the picnic to keep the bugs away.
disinfectant	Used primarily for cleaning and killing germs or bacteria on surfaces, especially in medical settings or households. Hospital staff use a disinfectant to clean surgical instruments. He sprayed disinfectant on the kitchen counter to ensure it was germ-free.

Word

Description / Examples

pesticide

Used in agricultural and gardening settings to control or eliminate pests that can damage crops or plants.

Farmers apply pesticide to their fields to protect the crops from insects.
She used a pesticide to deal with the aphid infestation on her rose bushes.

insect repellent

Applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces to deter insects, often used during outdoor activities to avoid bites and stings.

She applied insect repellent before going on a hike to avoid mosquito bites.
They kept a bottle of insect repellent at the picnic to keep the bugs away.

disinfectant

Used primarily for cleaning and killing germs or bacteria on surfaces, especially in medical settings or households.

Hospital staff use a disinfectant to clean surgical instruments.
He sprayed disinfectant on the kitchen counter to ensure it was germ-free.

Examples of usage

Mosquito control programs often involve the use of pesticides.
Health officials recommend using pesticides to prevent the spread of malaria.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'pesticide' comes from the Latin roots 'pesti' meaning pests and 'cide' meaning to kill.
First used in the 1940s, this term reflects the growing need for agricultural safety measures after World War II.

Environmental Impact

Excessive use of these chemicals can harm beneficial insects like bees, which are vital for pollination.
Some pesticides can take years to break down in the environment, affecting soil health and water quality.

Health Concerns

Certain pesticides have been linked to health problems in humans, prompting regulations to ensure safety in their use.
Children are particularly vulnerable, as their developing bodies can be more affected by chemical exposures.

Agricultural Practices

Integrated pest management combines biological control with the careful use of pesticides to minimize harm to the environment.
Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, relying instead on natural alternatives to protect crops.

Pop Culture

Movies and books sometimes depict the harmful effects of these chemicals, raising awareness about their impact on the environment.
Documentaries highlight the debates surrounding pesticide use and its effects on food systems.

Translations

Translations of the word "pesticide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pesticida

🇮🇳 कीटनाशक

🇩🇪 Pestizid

🇮🇩 pestisida

🇺🇦 пестицид

🇵🇱 pestycyd

🇯🇵 農薬 (のうやく)

🇫🇷 pesticide

🇪🇸 pesticida

🇹🇷 pestisit

🇰🇷 살충제 (살충제)

🇸🇦 مبيد حشري

🇨🇿 pesticid

🇸🇰 pesticíd

🇨🇳 农药 (nóngyào)

🇸🇮 pesticid

🇮🇸 skordýraeitur

🇰🇿 пестицид

🇬🇪 პესტიციდი

🇦🇿 pestisid

🇲🇽 pesticida

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,267, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10264 complexion
10265 mare
10266 agar
10267 pesticide
10268 censure
10269 satire
10270 grower
...