insecticide
nounUK /ɪnˈsektɪsaɪd/
US /ɪnˈsektɪsaɪd/
A spray or liquid that kills bugs.
The farmer used an insecticide to keep the beetles off his crops.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A chemical substance used to control or destroy insects that harm crops or spread disease.
Health workers sprayed insecticide to reduce the mosquito population.
3. Any agent or preparation, natural or synthetic, that is toxic to insects.
Some plants produce natural insecticides to protect themselves.
4. The branch of chemical science dealing with substances that kill insects.
She studied insecticide development as part of her agricultural chemistry course.