locust

noun

lo·​cust ˈlō-kəst 

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 sense 1

(2)

: black locust

(3)

: honey locust

b

: the wood of a locust tree

Examples of locust in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The smaller leaflets of trees such as honey-locust, black locust, and Kentucky coffee tree can be spread on a path whole. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026

From time to time, locusts devour landscapes' vegetation. —CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Of course, all six Jurassic sequels have had their scientific follies (hello, mutant locusts of Jurassic World: Dominion). —The Editors, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2025

This supremely modern and sophisticated thriller ratchets up into vampire-locust horror, in the best way possible. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing locust

• black locust
• desert locust
• honey locust
• locust bean
• seventeen-year locust

Rhymes for locust

• focused
• focussed
• refocused
• unfocused

Kids Definition

locust

noun

lo·​cust ˈlō-kəst 

1

a

: short-horned grasshopper

especially : a grasshopper that often migrates in vast swarms and eats up the plants in its course

b

: cicada

2

a

: any of various trees of the legume family with hard wood

b

: the wood of a locust