pest

¹ American  

[pest] / pɛst /

noun

1. an annoying or troublesome person, animal, or thing; nuisance.

   Synonyms:

   annoyance

2. an insect or other small animal that harms or destroys garden plants, trees, etc.

3. a deadly epidemic disease, especially a plague; pestilence.

   Synonyms:

   epidemic, scourge, pandemic

---

Pest ² American  

[pest, pesht] / pɛst, pɛʃt /

noun

1. Budapest

---

pest British  

/ pɛst /

noun

1. a person or thing that annoys, esp by imposing itself when it is not wanted; nuisance

2. 1. any organism that damages crops, injures or irritates livestock or man, or reduces the fertility of land

   2. ( as modifier )

      pest control

3. rare an epidemic disease or pestilence

---

Other Word Forms

• de-pest verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of pest

First recorded in 1545–55, pest is from the Latin word pestis plague

Example Sentences

Experts believe the resurgence is linked to the movement of infested animals, often transported by people who unknowingly help the pest spread.

From Science Daily

She said Italy has "worked intensively with the Commission" on its demands, including safeguard mechanisms, a fall-back compensation fund, and stronger pest and disease regulations.

From Barron's

He parted ways with the group in April 2023, started his own pest control company and moved back to Nashville to be closer to family, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

"I know people say they're a pest and everything, but they were kind of here before we were, weren't they?" said Ms Williams.

From BBC

Ghanem started his own pest control company, then returned to the Inland Empire to open a satellite office to win back some of his old clients before he disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blight
• bug
• contagion
• epidemic
• infection
• plague
• scourge
• virus