herbicide

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

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.
High heat significantly limits the effectiveness of herbicide. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026 Under its guidance, untold hectares of nasty greenery have succumbed to billions of dollars in herbicide. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Sanchez emphasizes that the timing of the application of these DIY herbicides is important. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026 Another effective herbicide treatment involves drilling holes 8 inches deep into the stump and pouring herbicide into the holes. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herbicide

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

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 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All