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)
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 these scenarios, cardboard collars can provide a protective barrier until the stems are strong enough to ward off pests on their own.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Her boyfriend, Blake Murray, a pest-control technician, brought in most of their income.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
These pests can cause yellowing leaves, sticky residue, fine webbing, and stunted growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Alvarado is a capable shooter and a pest on defense who averaged eight points and three assists for the Pelicans this season.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Her boyfriend, Blake Murray, a pest-control technician, brought in most of their income.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
These pests can cause yellowing leaves, sticky residue, fine webbing, and stunted growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Alvarado is a capable shooter and a pest on defense who averaged eight points and three assists for the Pelicans this season.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pest
noun1
: 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
Medical Definition
pest
noun1
: 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
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