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
This system allows fungi to transfer nutrients like carbon and nitrogen between trees and even send chemical signals that warn plants of pests or stress.
—
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The only way to get rid of bed bugs is to call a pest control professional.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Residents in the San Gabriel Valley are contending with a dramatic surge in black flies, a painful little pest known for biting around the eyes and necks of people and pets.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
The pests have been a nuisance in the foothills for years.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The only way to get rid of bed bugs is to call a pest control professional.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Residents in the San Gabriel Valley are contending with a dramatic surge in black flies, a painful little pest known for biting around the eyes and necks of people and pets.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
The pests have been a nuisance in the foothills for years.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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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