pest

noun

\ ˈpest

\

Definition of pest

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

Other Words from pest Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about pest

Keep scrolling for more

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

In the meantime, officials with Baltimore Public Markets said a pest control contractor sweeps the market twice a week. — Brittany Britto, baltimoresun.com, "Lexington Market reopens after rat incident as customers seek pastry favorites," 14 July 2018 Those include: Using all natural fertilizers and pest controls. — Aileen Simons, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Farmers markets in Buffalo Grove area begin to bloom," 31 May 2018 Responding officers learned the driver of the vehicle was a quality control employee for a pest company and was watching employees who were at a job down the road. — Andy Attina / Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Gun found in restaurant bathroom: Highland Heights Police Blotter," 14 Feb. 2018 Shatynski learned early that her family had to care for the soil and manage pests responsibly to take care of the land and stay in business. — Dawn Standke, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tally up your garden’s earth friendliness," 12 July 2018 His criteria uses 50 categories, and accounts for water quality, sand quality, amenities, views and pest levels, to select the best beaches the nation has to offer. — Alexandra Deabler, Fox News, "The 4 best beaches in America, according to 'Dr. Beach'," 11 July 2018 Increasing temperatures can keep pathogens and pests alive longer as the winters become milder. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "Why are these 250,000 bees hanging out on this sweet Downtown Boise rooftop?," 11 July 2018 MacDonald described a crop that was infected with powdery mildew from the beginning and later was infested with spider mites and other pests. — Michael Dresser, Washington Post, "Regulators investigate Maryland medical marijuana grower for alleged pesticide use," 10 July 2018 Researchers have raised the possibility that the technology could help to kill off invasive rats, mice and other rodent pests. — Ewen Callaway, Scientific American, "Controversial CRISPR “Gene Drives” Tested in Mammals for the First Time," 10 July 2018

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