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
Sweeping is especially important in highly trafficked areas of the home, such as the kitchen or entryway, to prevent food and dirt from attracting pests and negatively impacting your home's air quality.
—
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Pfingsten said there was also concern about the Asian swamp eel impacting native species, and the giant applesnail, which is an agricultural pest.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Weather, foot traffic, disease, pests, and weeds can wreak havoc on even the best lawns.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Animalia explains that woylies were once considered pests and were exterminated in huge numbers.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Pfingsten said there was also concern about the Asian swamp eel impacting native species, and the giant applesnail, which is an agricultural pest.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Weather, foot traffic, disease, pests, and weeds can wreak havoc on even the best lawns.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Animalia explains that woylies were once considered pests and were exterminated in huge numbers.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share