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
Before that, the Russian Empire’s ineffective tackling of grape phylloxera – an aphid-like pest which feeds on grapevine roots – caused great loss in Ukraine, as elsewhere in 19th-century Europe.
—
Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Remove Unwanted Branches Crossing branches can rub against others and cause wounds where pests and disease can enter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
Diseased leaves should never be composted as pests can often survive the composting process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Nov. 2025
The Star previously reported in April that tenants in the building, which has faced several complaints to the city’s Healthy Homes program, had struggled with health and safety concerns inside the building for years, including pest infestations and maintenance issues.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 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.
Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025
Remove Unwanted Branches Crossing branches can rub against others and cause wounds where pests and disease can enter.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
Diseased leaves should never be composted as pests can often survive the composting process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Nov. 2025
The Star previously reported in April that tenants in the building, which has faced several complaints to the city’s Healthy Homes program, had struggled with health and safety concerns inside the building for years, including pest infestations and maintenance issues.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 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 21 Nov. 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