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Definition of pest

pest

/pɛst/
pest
Plural:pests
•
Adjective:pesky
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pest Lexical Profile

pest Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A destructive insect or other small animal that attacks crops, food, livestock, or household structures.

Example

"Farmers often introduce ladybugs into their fields to naturally control aphids and other agricultural pests."

2

An annoying or troublesome person or thing; a nuisance.

Example

"My younger brother was being a real pest while I was trying to study for my final exams."

3

A fatal epidemic disease, especially the bubonic plague (now archaic).

Example

"Historical chronicles describe how the pest swept through medieval port cities within a matter of weeks."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for pest

• Nearby Words

pessimist
pessimistic
pessimistically
pest
pester
pesticide
pestilence

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 15th century from French 'peste' and Latin 'pestis', meaning a deadly contagious disease, plague, or curse. It originally referred specifically to the bubonic plague before broadening to denote any destructive organism or annoying person.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pest. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pest
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