herbicide

1 of 2

noun

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

herbicidal

2 of 2

adjective

her·​bi·​ci·​dal ¦(h)ər-bə-¦sī-dᵊl How to pronounce herbicidal (audio)
1
: of or relating to an herbicide
2
: having the ability to destroy plants
herbicidal agents
herbicidally adverb
A gene expression profile of a compound identified as herbicidally active in the greenhouse is compared with the already existing profiles in the database. —Modern Methods in Crop Protection Research, 2012

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.
Noun
Depending on the severity of the herbicide damage, the plant may recover, and the new growth may look normal. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 2026 The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 There are alternative herbicides, but some farmers warn that those could involve chemicals that risk killing the plant if not applied carefully. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 The announcement came the same day the Supreme Court shielded the maker of the herbicide Roundup from most cancer-warning lawsuits. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for herbicide

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin herba + International Scientific Vocabulary -cide

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herbicide was in 1899

Rhymes for herbicide

See All Rhymes for herbicide

Browse Nearby Words

herbicidal
herbicide
herbish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herbicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbicide. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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
ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
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
ˌ(h)ər-bə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
adjective
herbicidally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce herbicide (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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