pest

noun

ˈpest 

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)

3

: one that pesters or annoys : nuisance

pesty

ˈpe-stē 

adjective

Synonyms of pest

• plague

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

Visitors are reminded to take proper precautions — such as bug spray — to ward off the pests. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

Currently, all vessels entering New Zealand waters are required to have a clean hull to reduce the risk of biofouling pests. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026

New World screwworm, a concerning pest that mainly impacts livestock and wildlife, was detected in South Texas in June 2026. — Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Rollins has continued to see softer demand for its pest control services due to a combination of headwinds, so investors should steer clear of the stock, according to Wells Fargo. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French peste, from Latin pestis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pest

• integrated pest management

Rhymes for pest

• blessed
• blest
• breast
• chest
• crest
• dressed
• fest
• gest
• geste
• guessed
• jest
• lest

Kids Definition

pest

noun

ˈpest 

1

: 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

pesty

ˈpes-tē 

adjective

Medical Definition

pest

noun

ˈpest 

1

: 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

pesty

ˈpes-tē 

adjective