pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpe-stə-lən(t)s 

1

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating

especially : bubonic plague

2

: something that is destructive or pernicious

I'll pour this pestilence into his ear

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

• pest
• plague

Examples of pestilence in a Sentence

After years of war and pestilence, few people remained in the city.

the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc

Recent Examples on the Web

Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse? Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy after the uncovering of the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024

The morticians of the Middle Ages pick up bodies to place on a wheelbarrow in the midst of a pestilence. —David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024

Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse? Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy that came on the heels of uncovering the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024

Sometimes, what happens at the border — contraband, counterfeit items, illicit drugs, agricultural pestilence and non-native plant species — stays at the border. —Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s 

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that spreads quickly and is often fatal

especially : bubonic plague

Medical Definition

pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s 

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating

specifically : bubonic plague