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
Kentucky is home to various types of venomous snakes and spiders, but there's another pest in the commonwealth that's considered the most deadly animal in the world, despite its small size.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Its use in the hotel room is a form of pest control, typically targeting bedbugs.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Since this aphid attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects that prey on it and pecan pests, crape myrtles have been planted in pecan orchards with a positive impact on pecan harvests.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The establishment was required to call pest control and close until the violations could be fixed.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
Its use in the hotel room is a form of pest control, typically targeting bedbugs.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Since this aphid attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects that prey on it and pecan pests, crape myrtles have been planted in pecan orchards with a positive impact on pecan harvests.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
The establishment was required to call pest control and close until the violations could be fixed.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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 18 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
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