noun
exterminator
ik-STUR-mih-nay-ter/ɪkˈstɜːrmɪneɪtər/
A person or company that kills pests.
The exterminator places a closed pest trap along the baseboard.
Etymology
An exterminator was originally someone who drove others beyond a boundary—an expeller. As the verb acquired the meaning “destroy,” the noun came to designate someone whose work is killing pests.
In context
exterminator came no more roaches
More examples
- They hired an exterminator.
- Several exterminators inspected the building.
- The exterminator returned the next week.
Forms
exterminator · exterminators
exterminate verb — kill or remove completely
Similar words
- pest controller
- A broader role that may use nonlethal methods.
- fumigator
- Specializes in treatment using gas or vapor.