noun
pesticide
PEHS-tih-syd
noun
1
A chemical or biological substance used to kill or control pests such as insects and weeds.
"The farm switched to organic methods to avoid using pesticide."
How to Use Pesticide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA substance made to kill insects, weeds, or other pests.
Common pairings
pesticide residue
pesticide use
organic, pesticide-free
Word Forms
pesticides plural
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The farm switched to organic methods to avoid using _____.
Etymology
From pest + the combining form -cide ("killer"), from Latin caedere ("to cut down, kill").