pest

¹

[ pest ]

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

[ pest; Hungarian pesht ]

noun

1. Budapest

pest

/ 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 Words From

• de-pest verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pest¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pest¹

C16: from Latin pestis plague, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Then 4–1, the commissioners voted to go forward with a test of genetically modified males as pest control devices.

From Science News

He wondered if it was the consequence of decades of the dingoes’ status as a livestock pest.

From Science News

They also sent surveys out to pest control companies around the world.

From Science News

When food disappears, or pest control comes, rat populations fall.

From Science News For Students

That can keep pests in check and limit damage, without unintended harm to pollinators.

From Science News For Students

Bassett sounded off on the importance of eradicating problem pest areas.

From The Daily Beast

Scotts Miracle Gro made a pest resistant Kentucky bluegrass in 2011 using the same technology.

From The Daily Beast

"Earworm" has been around for quite some time to refer to a pest that burrows into the ears of corn.

From The Daily Beast

With one swift ninja movement, Obama swatted the pest with ease, leaving it lifeless on the ground.

From The Daily Beast

And, for a year or so after they first met, he was an incorrigible pest.

From The Daily Beast

What has happened between you and the communiers, whom may the pest carry off and hell confound!

From Project Gutenberg

It is an animal not less mischievous than it is deformed; it is the pest of man, and the torment of other animals.

From Project Gutenberg

All weapons seemed lawful against such a mere pest as this—a dog in the manger.

From Project Gutenberg

They do not live in fixed abodes, but shift about in search of game or plunder, and are deemed a pest by the Santa Fe traders.

From Project Gutenberg

That Arabic word, picked up at hazard from the dragoman, has acted like a talisman—the pest has actually gone!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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