infestation

[in-fe-stey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of infesting; state of being infested.

2. a harassing or troublesome invasion.

   an infestation of ants.

Other Word Forms

• reinfestation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infestation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English infestacio ( u ) n < Late Latin infestātiōn- (stem of infestātiō ). See infest, -ation

Example Sentences

The agency also stated that the infestation hadn’t yet penetrated farther north than Oaxaca and Veracruz, 700 miles from the U.S. border.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Its ascendance has contributed to the population decline of various native ladybug species—and more Americans associating ladybugs with infestation and invasion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Investors are spotting credit “cockroaches” in the financial system, sparking worries about a broader infestation.

Read more on MarketWatch

Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified a clear connection between the extent of cockroach infestations in homes and the amount of allergens and bacterial toxins known as endotoxins found indoors.

Read more on Science Daily

He is also developing a device to detect signs of unattended deaths that he said can harm the environment, causing pest infestations and forcing the disposal of belongings from entire households.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• contagion 
• curse 
• epidemic 
• infection 
• influenza 
• invasion 
• outbreak 
• pandemic 
• scourge