infest

[in-fest]

verb (used with object)

1. to live in or overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner, especially as predatory animals or vermin do.

   I had a major problem with cockroaches infesting my kitchen.

   The emerald ash borer has already infested many of the local ash trees.

2. to be numerous in, as anything undesirable or troublesome.

   the cares that infest the day.

3. Archaic.,  to harass.

infest

/ ɪnˈfɛst /

verb

1. to inhabit or overrun in dangerously or unpleasantly large numbers

2. (of parasites such as lice) to invade and live on or in (a host)

Other Word Forms

• infestation noun
• infester noun
• reinfest verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of infest¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; from late Middle English, from Latin infestāre “to assail, molest,” from infestus “hostile”

Word History and Origins

Origin of infest¹

C15: from Latin infestāre to molest, from infestus hostile

Example Sentences

California health officials warn that the New World Screwworm could arrive in California from an infested traveler or animal, or from the natural travel of the parasitic flies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Even if we put down rodenticide, they won't eat it. They are just not interested… Once these bins are infested with rats, the bin men don't want to collect it either."

Read more on BBC

A parasitic fly whose maggots can infest living livestock, birds, pets and humans, could threaten California soon.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Inmates are housed in unsafe, dirty facilities infested with roaches and rats, Bonta said in a news conference Monday, and lack basic access to clean water and edible food.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When trees are infested with a few thousand beetles they can cope, using resin to flush the beetles out.

Read more on BBC