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.
These plants were grown without herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 But as post-WWII agriculture shifted toward chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and heavy machinery, the need for kudzu decreased rapidly, and the federal government retracted its support for the crop. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026 Messinger notes that using an herbicide specifically labeled for Bermuda grass can be an effective control method. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026 Apply Herbicides If there are patches of nutgrass spreading in your lawn, a post-emergent herbicide can help. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 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 1 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on herbicide

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for herbicide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbicide

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All