biocide
noun
bio·cide
ˈbī-ə-ˌsīd 
: a substance (such as an algicide or fungicide) that destroys or inhibits the growth or activity of living organisms
Sodium azide is an explosive, broad-spectrum biocide with toxicity comparable to sodium cyanide's.—
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Science NewsExamples of biocide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The agreement enables Rudolf exclusive marketing of products made with Heraeus Precious Metals’ AGXX technology—an alternative to conventional biocides like silver.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The first step in both thermal and RO desalination is to filter and chemically treat the seawater with biocides and coagulants to remove organics.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Many flower food packets are just a mix of sugar (which helps the blooms and buds open up), citric acid (helps prevent bacterial growth in the water), and a biocide like bleach (which also helps disinfect the water and prevent bacteria).
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025
Whereas open fire converted dead biomass into nutrients and purged sites of pests and competing plants, modern agriculture relies on petrochemicals that get cooked into fertilizer and biocides and delivered by pumps, planes and tractors powered by fossil fuels.
—Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Yet, without a functional waste management system, plastic and other non- biodegradable trash accumulates on roadsides, mountain creeks and beaches, often seeping biocides that further degrade those ecosystems.
—Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
There’s growing concern that overuse of triclosan, the biocide in hand soap, leads to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, disrupts hormones in the body and may contribute to certain types of cancer.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 2 Sep. 2016
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Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In addition, untreated sewage commonly contains potentially hazardous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and biocides, a category including pesticides and antiseptics.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
The first step in both thermal and RO desalination is to filter and chemically treat the seawater with biocides and coagulants to remove organics.
—Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Many flower food packets are just a mix of sugar (which helps the blooms and buds open up), citric acid (helps prevent bacterial growth in the water), and a biocide like bleach (which also helps disinfect the water and prevent bacteria).
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025
Whereas open fire converted dead biomass into nutrients and purged sites of pests and competing plants, modern agriculture relies on petrochemicals that get cooked into fertilizer and biocides and delivered by pumps, planes and tractors powered by fossil fuels.
—Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Yet, without a functional waste management system, plastic and other non- biodegradable trash accumulates on roadsides, mountain creeks and beaches, often seeping biocides that further degrade those ecosystems.
—Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023
There’s growing concern that overuse of triclosan, the biocide in hand soap, leads to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, disrupts hormones in the body and may contribute to certain types of cancer.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 2 Sep. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Biocide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biocide. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
biocide
noun
bio·cide
ˈbī-ə-ˌsīd
: a substance (as glutaraldehyde) that is destructive to many different organisms
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