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
Terri Maguire, maintenance manager with Van Slyke Landscape, also suggested being very careful with maintenance products and chemicals like fertilizers as well as traps and bait for what people consider pests.
—
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The establishment was later approved to reopen after pest control measures, according to the report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Depending on how bad the pest ruined plants in a particular latitude, the farmer either made it financially, or borrowed more from the bank to eat during the winter.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Only 236 kākāpō exist today, the vast majority on publicly inaccessible islands that have undergone pest-eradication programs.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
The establishment was later approved to reopen after pest control measures, according to the report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
Depending on how bad the pest ruined plants in a particular latitude, the farmer either made it financially, or borrowed more from the bank to eat during the winter.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Only 236 kākāpō exist today, the vast majority on publicly inaccessible islands that have undergone pest-eradication programs.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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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