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

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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

Be on the lookout for these pests and make sure to dispose of them before other plants are harmed. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "This $15 Plant From Amazon Will Turn Your Backyard Into a Monarch Butterfly Paradise," 30 Apr. 2019 Check for summer pests of mealybugs and scale insects; control with natural sprays 85. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "July in the garden," 30 June 2018 All parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested –– except, alas, for such pests as cabbage worms, spider mites, aphids and whiteflies. — R. Daniel Foster, latimes.com, "What a showoff: Ghostly Brugmansia delivers spectacular garden blooms," 22 June 2018 Some firms view themselves as masons, helping clients build stronger walls; others see themselves as exterminators, hunting for pests. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "The Digital Vigilantes Who Hack Back," 30 Apr. 2018 Only very few specimens of the fly are known, but horse flies serve as an important role as pests and as pollinators. — Michael Ohl, BostonGlobe.com, "From the Hitler beetle to the Beyoncé fly," 8 Apr. 2018 Sally Fox – Organic Cotton Breeder (1989) Fox revolutionized the textile industry through her work as a pollinator trying to breed more pest-resistant plants. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "32 Women Who’ve Changed Life As We Know It," 31 Mar. 2019 In fact, beekeeper error isn't the only common cause of death—pests, especially certain kinds of mice, can also wreak havoc on your hives. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "Beekeeping for Beginners: Everything to Know About Starting Your Own Colony," 5 Apr. 2019 The Norway rat, a common pest in the U.S. Photo: iStock City council members dashed to pass a motion Friday to explore ways of removing the rodents from the seat of government of America’s second largest city. — Ian Lovett, WSJ, "Politics Is a Dirty Business—Starting with the Rats at Los Angeles City Hall," 10 Feb. 2019

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.