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Hazardous or Poisonous Substance
pesticide Audio
pes·ti·cide [ pes-tuh-sahyd ]
Also called:
Fungicides; Herbicides; Rodenticides
Definitions related to pesticides:
  • Agent used to destroy pests of any sort, including animals, plants, fungi and other organisms which are regarded as injurious or unwanted.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Any agent used to control, repel, or kill unwanted organisms.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Any substance that is used to kill insects and other pests.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Chemicals used to destroy pests of any sort. The concept includes fungicides (FUNGICIDES, INDUSTRIAL); INSECTICIDES; RODENTICIDES; etc.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Pests live where they are not wanted or cause harm to crops, people, or animals. Pesticides can help get rid of them. Pesticides are not just insect killers. They also include chemicals to control weeds, rodents, mildew, germs, and more. Many household products contain pesticides. Pesticides can protect your health by killing germs, animals, or plants that could hurt you. However, they can also be harmful to people or pets. You might want to try non-chemical methods first. If you do need a pesticide, use it correctly. Be especially careful around children and pets. Proper disposal of pesticides is also important - it can help protect the environment. Biologically-based pesticides are becoming more popular. They often are safer than traditional pesticides. Environmental Protection Agency
    MedlinePlus
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.

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