noun
pest
pehst
noun
1
An insect or animal that damages crops, spreads disease, or is otherwise harmful.
"Aphids are a common pest in vegetable gardens."
2
An annoying person, especially one who keeps bothering others.
"Her little brother could be a real pest when she was on the phone."
How to Use Pest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a harmful/destructive creature (like an insect) or, informally, an annoying person.
Common pairings
garden pest
pest control
being a pest
Word Forms
pests plural
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Aphids are a common _____ in vegetable gardens.
Etymology
From Middle French peste ("plague"), ultimately from Latin pestis. Originally referred to deadly epidemics like the plague before broadening to any harmful creature or annoying person.