biocide

[ bahy-uh-sahyd ]

noun
  1. any chemical that destroys life by poisoning, especially a pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide.

Origin of biocide

1
First recorded in 1945–50; bio- + -cide

Other words from biocide

  • bi·o·cid·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for biocide

biocide

/ (ˈbaɪəˌsaɪd) /


noun
  1. a chemical, such as a pesticide, capable of killing living organisms

Derived forms of biocide

  • biocidal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for biocide

biocide

[ ə-sīd′ ]


  1. A chemical agent, such as a pesticide or herbicide, that is capable of destroying living organisms.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.