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 In other cases, the autonomy enables the machine to be more precise in performing the job at hand, such as applying herbicide. Richard Bishop, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In parts of California and much of the Great Basin, land owners have declared war on pinyon pines and juniper trees, clearing them from rangelands with chains, bulldozers, saws and herbicides. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024 Unfortunately, the plants do not tolerate herbicides or pesticides. Barb Sands, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2024 Finally, by the mid-1980s and 1990s, unshaded monocultures emerged, which operate like many modern agricultural enterprises: intensively managed with plenty of synthetic fertilizers and herbicides. Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 The claims rest on the ingredient glyphosate, introduced as a herbicide by Monsanto in 1974, which inhibits a certain enzyme in most plants, preventing them from growing. Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024 Persistent herbicides such as clopyralid can linger. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 Jan. 2024 The two groups have begun studying flow patterns in the Connecticut River to learn whether the introduction of marine herbicide could be an effective control measure. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2024 Gypsy says her mother's distaste escalated to the point where Dee Dee would put Roundup, an herbicide, in Laura’s food. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herbicide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near herbicide

Cite this Entry

“Herbicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbicide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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