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
Camilla revealed that the infestation at King Charles’ Norfolk estate has become a nuisance, to the point that pest control experts have been called in.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Aug. 2025
Try raised beds instead of the ground to better control the water, pests, and soil conditions.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025
Roughly 70 percent of the world’s crop originates in West Africa, where recent strife, pests, and disease have wreaked havoc on the supply chain—leaving an opening for Puerto Rico.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
If your hibiscus leaves are turning yellow, that signals something is wrong with your plant, and it could be caused by a variety of factors, from watering to pests.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Aug. 2025
Try raised beds instead of the ground to better control the water, pests, and soil conditions.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025
Roughly 70 percent of the world’s crop originates in West Africa, where recent strife, pests, and disease have wreaked havoc on the supply chain—leaving an opening for Puerto Rico.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
If your hibiscus leaves are turning yellow, that signals something is wrong with your plant, and it could be caused by a variety of factors, from watering to pests.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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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