herbicide
/'hə:bisaid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A chemical substance used to kill unwanted plants: A herbicide is a chemical agent specifically formulated to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants, especially weeds, in agricultural, industrial, or residential settings.
Usage
- Herbicides are applied to control vegetation in fields, gardens, roadsides, and other areas.
- They are a key tool in modern agriculture to protect crops from weed competition.
- Usage often involves specifying the target plants (e.g., "a broadleaf herbicide") or the method of action (e.g., "a systemic herbicide").
Examples
- Noun:
- The farmer sprayed a selective herbicide to kill the weeds without harming the corn.
- Environmental groups are concerned about the runoff of herbicides into local waterways.
- Using a non-selective herbicide will kill all vegetation it contacts.
Advanced Usage
- "Pre-emergent herbicide": A herbicide applied to the soil to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
- Gardeners often use a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring.
- "Post-emergent herbicide": A herbicide applied to kill weeds that have already emerged and are growing.
- The post-emergent herbicide was effective against the mature dandelions.
Variants and Related Words
- Herbicidal (adj): Having the properties of a herbicide; relating to herbicides.
- The herbicidal effect was evident within a week.
- Weedkiller (n): A common synonym for herbicide, especially in non-technical contexts.
- He bought a bottle of weedkiller for the patio.
Synonyms
- Weedkiller: A substance that kills weeds.
- Phytocide: A less common term for a substance that kills plants.
Related Phrases
- "Herbicide resistance": The inherited ability of a plant to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of herbicide normally lethal to the wild type.
- The emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds is a major agricultural challenge.
- "Herbicide application": The act or process of applying a herbicide.
- Proper herbicide application requires calibrated equipment.
Noun
- a chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth