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
What are the biggest pest problems associated with poinsettias?
—
Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2025
After pruning, spray fruit trees to kill overwintering pests and diseases.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Summers can be stressful, not only because of the heat but mosquitos and other pests, too.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Equipment at the restaurant needed cleaning or replacement and there was evidence of pest contamination, city officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2025
After pruning, spray fruit trees to kill overwintering pests and diseases.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Summers can be stressful, not only because of the heat but mosquitos and other pests, too.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Equipment at the restaurant needed cleaning or replacement and there was evidence of pest contamination, city officials said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Dec. 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 11 Dec. 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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