locust

noun lo·cust \ ˈlō-kəst \

Updated on: 6 Apr 2018

Definition of locust

1 : short-horned grasshopper; especially : a migratory grasshopper often traveling in vast swarms and stripping the areas passed of all vegetation

2 : cicada

3 a : any of various leguminous trees: such as

(1) : carob 1

(2) : black locust

(3) : honey locust

b : the wood of a locust tree

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Recent Examples of locust from the Web

The plagues included turning water into blood, casting an endless sea of frogs and gnats, releasing wild animals, killing livestock, forming boils, making thunderstorms of hail and fire, creating packs of locusts, and having darkness for three days.

— rachel epstein, Marie Claire, "Passover 101: Here's What You Need to Know About the Jewish Holiday," 29 Mar. 2018
But the plague of locusts has yet to show up—which is odd, given how many experts predicted that a victory for Brexit would bring catastrophe.

— fraser nelson, WSJ, "The U.K. Is Doing Just Fine, Thanks," 23 Mar. 2018
The researchers began by sequencing the DNA of several species of cockroach and found that American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, have one of the largest known genome sequences of all insects, second only to locusts.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "This Cockroach Can Survive Anywhere—Its DNA Proves It," 21 Mar. 2018
Compared with other insects, the genome of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the second largest sequenced to date after the locust.

— kimberly hickok, Science | AAAS, "American cockroaches thrive in cities, thanks to their incredibly long genomes," 20 Mar. 2018
What has some people concerned about the renovation is that the city would have to tear out the 15 old, large locust trees on the mall.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Trees may be casualty of Aurora Water Street Mall renovation," 13 Mar. 2018
Unlike, say, locusts, which simply raze entire fields, stinkbugs wreak their havoc insidiously.

— steven strogatz, The New Yorker, "When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home," 8 Aug. 2011
In describing what life would be like without Nafta, some business groups have stopped just short of predicting a plague of locusts.

— andrew mayeda, Bloomberg.com, "American CEOs Say They’re Ready to Bring Jobs Home If Nafta Dies," 26 Feb. 2018
Members of the historical society joke that next year will bring a plague of locusts.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Rabbit Hash prepares for floodwaters: 'It just leaves one hell of a mess'," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'locust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of locust

Middle English, from Anglo-French locuste, from Latin locusta

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

LOCUST Defined for English Language Learners

locust

noun

Definition of locust for English Language Learners

: a type of grasshopper that travels in very large groups and that can cause great destruction by eating crops

LOCUST Defined for Kids

locust

noun lo·cust \ ˈlō-kəst \

Definition of locust for Students

1 : a grasshopper that moves in huge swarms and eats up the plants in its path

2 : cicada

3 : a tree with hard wood, leaves with many leaflets, and drooping flower clusters

Learn More about locust

Spanish Central: Translation of locust Nglish: Translation of locust for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of locust for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about locust

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locust

Definition of locust

Recent Examples of locust from the Web

Origin and Etymology of locust

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LOCUST Defined for English Language Learners

locust

Definition of locust for English Language Learners

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locust

Definition of locust for Students

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