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
The most effective way to stop rodents (as well as snakes and other pests) from doing this damage is to prevent them from getting into your vehicles in the first place, but this is hard to do.
—
Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
This is less a chant and more a fireworks show celebrating the permanent expungement of all turncoats and pests.
—Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
According to Adams’ latest management report released last week, the Health Department conducted 56,000 pest control inspections across the city between July and October, the latest reporting window.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 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, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pest 
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Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
This is less a chant and more a fireworks show celebrating the permanent expungement of all turncoats and pests.
—Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
According to Adams’ latest management report released last week, the Health Department conducted 56,000 pest control inspections across the city between July and October, the latest reporting window.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 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, 30 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 16 Feb. 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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