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
Eliminate any common indoor pests such as spider mites and thrips that pop up.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2025
This same time will be when any fruit trees requiring pest or disease treatment with dormant oil will need to be sprayed – just before bud swelling begins.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 Nov. 2025
People may have also welcomed ‘wild cats’ on their farms for pest control, while leopard cats are reflected in ancient Chinese art depicting felines with round spots.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
This overbuilt food crate holds either 30 or 50 pounds of dog food in a pest-proof container.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2025
This same time will be when any fruit trees requiring pest or disease treatment with dormant oil will need to be sprayed – just before bud swelling begins.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 Nov. 2025
People may have also welcomed ‘wild cats’ on their farms for pest control, while leopard cats are reflected in ancient Chinese art depicting felines with round spots.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
This overbuilt food crate holds either 30 or 50 pounds of dog food in a pest-proof container.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 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 7 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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