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

He is now on an NHS waiting list for an undiagnosed skin condition, which he believes is caused by an insect infestation.

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Mr Donnovan believes it is almost impossible to get control of an infestation of this scale.

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An infestation occurs when fly maggots infest the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, the CDC says.

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County’s jails, describing filthy conditions, vermin and insect infestations, a lack of clean water and moldy and spoiled food.

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While infestations by the fly larvae primarily affect cattle, Mexican officials also registered cases in dogs, horses, sheep – and humans.

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Related Words

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