weedkiller
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈiːdkɪlə/
US
- /wˈiːdkɪlər/
Description
- herbicide
- chemical for unwanted plants
- garden weed control
A weedkiller is a substance used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds. Imagine a garden where dandelions are growing among your tomatoes; this kind of product might help clear them away. Some kinds only kill certain plants, while others can harm almost anything they touch. Farmers use them in fields to protect crops, and homeowners use them to keep lawns and paths neat. Because these products can affect nature as well as plants, they need to be used carefully.
Imagine a garden or a field where different plants are competing for space, sunlight, water, and nutrients. A weedkiller is a substance used to remove the plants that are not wanted there, usually the ones described as weeds. In more formal language, it is often called an herbicide.
These products are not all the same. Some are selective, which means they kill certain kinds of plants while leaving others alone. Others are non-selective and can kill almost any plant they touch. Farmers may use them to clear land before planting or to control weeds around crops. People at home may use them on driveways, paths, lawns, or flowerbeds.
But the story does not end there. The use of weedkillers is not always simple. They can make farming and gardening easier, but they can also raise concerns about the environment, human health, and wildlife. Over time, some weeds have even become resistant to common products, which makes control more difficult.
So, while a weedkiller may sound like a simple answer to an annoying problem, it is really a powerful tool that should be used with care. The word usually refers to a chemical product, especially in everyday British English, though the broader idea is the same wherever the term is used.
Examples
- 1
Garden preparation
We put down some weedkiller before planting the roses.
- 2
Safety
Keep children and pets away until the weedkiller has dried.
- 3
Chemical avoidance
Many gardeners avoid chemical weedkillers and pull the weeds out by hand.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- weedkillernoun