Insecticide

Pronunciation
/in-sek-ti-side/
Category
Control
Singular
Insecticide
Plural
Insecticides

Definition

Chemicals used to kill insects.

Etymology

From Latin 'insectum', meaning 'insect', and 'caedere', meaning 'to kill'.

Example

Organophosphate insecticides are commonly used to control agricultural pests.

Related Terms

  • Pest
  • Control
  • Target

Usage Notes

Insecticides can have a variety of modes of action and target different insect species.