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
Watch for Pests Indoor plants are less likely to attract pests than plants in the garden, but pests can still occasionally find their way inside and wreak havoc on indoor plants.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2024
Leaving a gap will help prevent rot and keep pests away from the trunk.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024
Good news: 'Murder hornets' haven't been seen in Washington this year
The public also played a large part in helping eradicate the pest by reporting sightings, officials said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Even if their crops survive pests and disease, Whitehill told CBS News that cosmetics are an issue, too.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pest 
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2024
Leaving a gap will help prevent rot and keep pests away from the trunk.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024
Good news: 'Murder hornets' haven't been seen in Washington this year
The public also played a large part in helping eradicate the pest by reporting sightings, officials said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Even if their crops survive pests and disease, Whitehill told CBS News that cosmetics are an issue, too.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024
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 28 Dec. 2024.
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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