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
Run a fan near seating and dining areas to keep flying pests off food and guests.
—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
But fruit trees also require annual pruning and are susceptible to pests, such as apple maggots and codling moths.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
4 July 2026
Both are stealthy predators and play an important role in controlling pest populations.
—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
Old potting soil may not only potentially harbor pests and diseases that will impact the health of your plants, but soil from previous seasons can become a bit degraded and drain too fast or too slowly for your plant's needs.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
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Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
But fruit trees also require annual pruning and are susceptible to pests, such as apple maggots and codling moths.
—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
4 July 2026
Both are stealthy predators and play an important role in controlling pest populations.
—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
Old potting soil may not only potentially harbor pests and diseases that will impact the health of your plants, but soil from previous seasons can become a bit degraded and drain too fast or too slowly for your plant's needs.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for pest
Cite this Entry
“Pest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pest. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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