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
Mums are susceptible to diseases and pests that can spread easily to neighboring plants, because there are some flowers that don't play well with mums.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Heat waves are lasting longer, rain comes in floods sandwiched between droughts, and new pests are suddenly abundant and chomping on what were your garden’s most trouble-free plants.
—Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Outer openings not protected against entry of pests.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Due to the severity of brown recluse bites, the extension service recommends hiring a professional pest control company.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Heat waves are lasting longer, rain comes in floods sandwiched between droughts, and new pests are suddenly abundant and chomping on what were your garden’s most trouble-free plants.
—Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Outer openings not protected against entry of pests.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Due to the severity of brown recluse bites, the extension service recommends hiring a professional pest control company.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
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 Oct. 2025.
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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