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

While the pest poses no threat to food safety, its presence is disrupting the transportation of animals and threatening to squeeze margins further for the struggling beef industry. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

This strategy was key to eradicating the pest for the first time in the 1960s. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026

The screwworm can cause painful wounds that can become life-threatening without treatment, and the pest poses a risk to livestock, wildlife, pets and, in uncommon cases, people. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 June 2026

In addition to routine pest management, a specialized pest and wildlife control company will be utilized to significantly increase the number and variety of the trapping mechanisms used both inside and outside the building. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 June 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