herbicide
HER-bih-syde
/ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/
A substance that is toxic to plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
Often used in conjunction with GMO crops that are engineered to be 'herbicide-tolerant.'
The story behind the word. Formed in the late 19th century from the Latin 'herba' and the suffix '-cide' (to kill). It shares the same murderous suffix as homicide, suicide, and insecticide.
Word relationships
- weedkiller: Weedkiller is the common, everyday term; herbicide is the technical, scientific term.
- fertilizer: A substance used to encourage plant growth rather than kill it.
Commonly confused with
- pesticide: Pesticides kill pests (bugs, rodents); herbicides kill plants (weeds).
Word family
- herbicidal (adjective): Having the properties of an herbicide.
Collocations
- herbicide resistance
- selective herbicide
- herbicide application
Example sentences
- "The excessive use of herbicide in industrial farming has led to the emergence of 'super-weeds' that are difficult to kill." Environmental impact study.
- "Apply the herbicide only to the weeds between the rows to avoid damaging the young soy plants." Agricultural instructions.
Memory hook
Herbi (Herb/Plant) + Cide (Kill). It commits 'herb-icide'. Plant killer.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'pesticide,' which is a broad category including insecticides and fungicides.
Fun facts
- Some plants, like walnuts, produce their own natural herbicides to stop other plants from growing nearby.
Related words
Explore more words
monoculture, carcinogen, slash-and-burn, toxic, invasive, toxin
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