# exterminator

/ɪkˈstɝməˌneɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɜːmɪnˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exterminator
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

a person whose job is to kill insects, rats and other pests in homes and buildings.

For teachers: a professional who eliminates vermin, insects, or other pests from buildings and surrounding areas, typically employed for domestic or commercial pest control.

## Examples

- We call the exterminator when we see cockroaches.
- The landlord hired an exterminator to deal with the mice in the basement storage room.
- After months of failed traps and home remedies, the family finally contacted an exterminator whose targeted treatment cleared the wasp nest within a single afternoon.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.