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
Trash has stopped being collected consistently and has piled up, attracting pests and rodents, and creating a safety and health hazard.
—
Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Such environmental factors may render one population more resilient in some way than another, and who knows which stash may prove to best withstand new climate stressors, or pests and diseases?
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
Consumers are left vulnerable to unsafe products, including food stored without temperature control or contaminated by pests.
—John Murn, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pest 
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Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Such environmental factors may render one population more resilient in some way than another, and who knows which stash may prove to best withstand new climate stressors, or pests and diseases?
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
Consumers are left vulnerable to unsafe products, including food stored without temperature control or contaminated by pests.
—John Murn, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pest
Dictionary Entries Near pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 22 Jan. 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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