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)
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
Higher concentrated mixtures can be diluted for future use or used full strength for pest control.
—
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
While precise estimates are difficult, a pest control company said there were as many as three million rats in the city.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Last fall, Orkin pest control ranked it the fourth-rattiest city in America – after the much larger metropolises of Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
—Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
And the heavy-duty zippers ensure belongings stay secure inside the bag (and that pests stay out).
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
Primack was less worried about the absence of spring bees than the presence of pest insects and fungal diseases, which become more common as temperatures rise.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
More:Proposal would allow corrosive materials to cross Ambassador Bridge: Public can weigh in
More:Core City residents urge Detroit to rezone controversial concrete site
Experts compiled the report based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biology.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024
Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases.
—Sara Okeefe, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
The research could better inform our scientific understanding of one of history’s greatest pests.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
While precise estimates are difficult, a pest control company said there were as many as three million rats in the city.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Last fall, Orkin pest control ranked it the fourth-rattiest city in America – after the much larger metropolises of Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
—Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
And the heavy-duty zippers ensure belongings stay secure inside the bag (and that pests stay out).
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024
Primack was less worried about the absence of spring bees than the presence of pest insects and fungal diseases, which become more common as temperatures rise.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
More:Proposal would allow corrosive materials to cross Ambassador Bridge: Public can weigh in
More:Core City residents urge Detroit to rezone controversial concrete site
Experts compiled the report based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biology.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024
Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases.
—Sara Okeefe, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
The research could better inform our scientific understanding of one of history’s greatest pests.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pest
noun1
: 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
Medical Definition
pest
noun1
: 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
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