pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpe-stə-lən(t)s 
1
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating
especially
: bubonic plague
2
: something that is destructive or pernicious
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Examples of pestilence in a Sentence
After years of war and pestilence, few people remained in the city.
the fear that terrorists could unleash a pestilence that would wreak unspeakable havoc
Recent Examples on the Web
Being omnivorous, with a very long and efficient gut, humans coped better than other mammals in the face of pestilence and drought, the better to ensure our survival.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy after the uncovering of the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024
The morticians of the Middle Ages pick up bodies to place on a wheelbarrow in the midst of a pestilence.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy that came on the heels of uncovering the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence 
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John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy after the uncovering of the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024
The morticians of the Middle Ages pick up bodies to place on a wheelbarrow in the midst of a pestilence.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 17 Apr. 2024
Disease, pestilence and death: Has unsealing King Tut's tomb unleashed an ancient curse?
Fox Nation's 'Tales of Terror: The Curse of King Tut' unravels the media frenzy that came on the heels of uncovering the Egyptian pharaoh's ancient tomb and the devastation that followed.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pestilence
Articles Related to pestilence
Dictionary Entries Near pestilence
Cite this Entry
“Pestilence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pestilence. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that spreads quickly and is often fatal
especially
: bubonic plague
Medical Definition
pestilence
noun
pes·ti·lence
ˈpes-tə-lən(t)s
: a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating
specifically
: bubonic plague
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