pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpe-stə-lən(t)s 

1

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating

especially : bubonic plague

2

: something that is destructive or pernicious

I'll pour this pestilence into his ear …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms of pestilence

• plague

Examples of pestilence in a Sentence

After years of war and pestilence, few people remained in the city.

the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc

Recent Examples on the Web

As an example, the celestial dog was thought to aid the sun in causing the intense heat, drought and pestilence of summer. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Famines, pestilence, crusades, and war. —Greg Grandin september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025

Judith is the recipient of the pestilence, Agnes stays by her side, Dad is M.I.A. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025

In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s 

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that spreads quickly and is often fatal

especially : bubonic plague

Medical Definition

pestilence

noun

pes·​ti·​lence ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s 

: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating

specifically : bubonic plague