glyphosate

plural glyphosates

1. countableuncountablechemistryN-phosphonomethyl glycine, the active ingredient of several herbicides that inhibit a plant growth enzyme.

   France led the opposition to allowing the use of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup and in weed killers made by other companies.

   2017 November 27, Danny Hakim, “Glyphosate, Top-Selling Weed Killer, Wins E.U. Approval for 5 Years”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 14 Jul 2020

   2 more examples

   Two-thirds of Europeans support a ban on glyphosate, the most widely used agricultural chemical in the world’s history, according to a new Yougov poll.

   2016 April 11, Arthur Neslen, “Two-thirds of Europeans support ban on glyphosate - poll”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 25 Mar 2017

   But the executive order Mr. Trump issued Wednesday to increase domestic production of glyphosate — a widely used weedkiller and possible carcinogen that has been the target of thousands of lawsuits, including one brought by Mr. Kennedy — stunned and infuriated the activists.

   2026 February 20, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Hiroko Tabuchi, “MAHA Moms Turn Against Trump: ‘Women Feel Like They Were Lied To’”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

2. countableuncountableAny of several herbicides based on it, such as Roundup.

   In previous years Penryn Town Council has used Falmouth Town Council to fulfil the parks contract and glyphosate had been used, councillor Debra Clegg confirmed.

   2026 January 14, Lisa Young, “Council delays decision about weedkiller use”, in BBC, archived from the original on 16 Jan 2026