pest

noun

ˈpest How to pronounce pest (audio)
Synonyms of pestnext
1
: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality
specifically : plague
2
: something resembling a pest in destructiveness
especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (such as agriculture or livestock production)
3
: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance
pesty
ˈpe-stē How to pronounce pest (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of pest

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Examples of pest in a Sentence

These insects are pests for farmers. mice and other household pests You're being a real pest. Would you leave us alone, please?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although generally hardy, the plant is susceptible to certain diseases, including anthracnose and bacterial soft rot, as well as pests such as spider mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 These beneficial predators spend the winter under leaves, emerging in spring to feed on common garden pests such as aphids, slugs and mites. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Yet secreted under the layered bark of some pines is a pest whose upcoming flight places Colorado’s highest concentration of real estate and infrastructure values at risk. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 The use of bifenthrin increased in 2023 because of cotton pest outbreaks. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pest

Word History

Etymology

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pest was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing pest

Rhymes for pest

See All Rhymes for pest

Browse Nearby Words

pessulus
pest
Pestalozzi
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Cite this Entry

“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pest

noun
ˈpest How to pronounce pest (audio)
1
: an epidemic disease which causes a large number of deaths
especially : plague entry 1 sense 2
2
: something resembling a pest in destructiveness
especially : a plant or animal harmful to human beings or human concerns (as agriculture)
3
: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance
pesty
ˈpes-tē How to pronounce pest (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

pest

noun
ˈpest How to pronounce pest (audio)
1
: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality
specifically : plague sense 2
2
: something resembling a pest in destructiveness
especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns
pesty
ˈpes-tē How to pronounce pest (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pest

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pest

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