infest

American  

[in-fest] / ɪnˈfɛst /

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.

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infest British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of infest

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

Example Sentences

The area was once viewed as ominous, dominated by an ancient walnut tree believed to be infested with demons and marking the supposed burial place of Emperor Nero.

From Science Daily

Most people don’t pay attention to things like this, so they let themselves become infested with bad bacteria.

From Literature

We know in 1845, potato fields — the primary source of food for the poor — became infested with a devastating fungus that destroyed 40% of the crop.

From Los Angeles Times

Foresters debarked and chipped the highly infested tree to kill the beetles inside.

From Los Angeles Times

Old manuscripts are usually infested with woodworms, silverfish or “other microscopic creatures with a love of paper.”

From The Wall Street Journal