pest

pest

noun \ˈpest\

Definition of PEST

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 (as agriculture or livestock production)

3

: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance

— pesty \ˈpes-tē\ adjective

Examples of PEST

1. These insects are pests for farmers.
2. mice and other household pests
3. You're being a real pest. Would you leave us alone, please?

Origin of PEST

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

First Known Use: 1513

Related to PEST

Synonyms

plague, pestilence

Related Words

murrain; epidemic, pandemic; affection, affliction, ailment, contagion, illness, infection, infirmity, malady, sickness; blight, curse, scourge

Near Antonyms

charmer, smoothy (or smoothie); comforter, solacer, soother

Rhymes with PEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, nest, quest, rest, test, tressed, vest, west, wrest, zest

pest

noun \ˈpest\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PEST

1

: an epidemic disease associated with high mortality; specifically : plague 2

2

: something resembling a pest in destructiveness; especially : a plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns

—pesty \ˈpes-tē\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

pest

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any organism, usually an animal, judged as a threat to humans. Most pests either compete with humans for natural resources or transmit disease to humans, their crops, or their livestock. Invertebrate pests include some protozoans, flatworms, nematodes, mollusks, arachnids, and especially insects. Mammals and birds can also be pests. Human activities, such as monocultural farming practices, use of broad-spectrum pesticides, and introduction of exotic species, often result in the proliferation of pest species. Certain fungi, bacteria, and viruses are also considered pests. Plant pests are usually called weeds.