infest

verb

in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
infested; infesting; infests

transitive verb

1
: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner
a slum infested with crime
shark-infested waters
2
: to live in or on as a parasite
infestant noun
infestation noun
infester noun

Examples of infest in a Sentence

in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants
Recent Examples on the Web Students at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff have been treated for rabies exposure after a dormitory became infested with bats. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024 Tenants in the apartments, as well as years of inspection reports and lawsuits, say that neglect by the properties’ owners left the buildings infested with mold and rodents, often lacking heat and sagging from water leaks and faulty infrastructure. Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024 All the furniture inside was either destroyed or infested with maggots. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 8 Oct. 2024 Items deeply infested with mold, such as drywall or other soft materials, will probably have to be discarded. George Petras, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infest 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infest was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near infest

Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

infest

verb
in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
1
: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner
a neighborhood infested with crime
shark-infested waters
2
: to live in or on as a parasite
horses infested with worms
infestation noun

Medical Definition

infest

transitive verb
in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
: to live in or on as a parasite
the flea that infests cats
horses infested with worms
compare infect

More from Merriam-Webster on infest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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