Definition

1. 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

1. a chemical agent that destroys plants or inhibits their growth