noun

locust

LOH-kuhst

Locust (noun) means a swarming grasshopper that devastates crops and vegetation in huge numbers. Example: “A cloud of locusts stripped the fields bare within hours.”

noun

A swarming grasshopper that devastates crops and vegetation in huge numbers.

"A cloud of locusts stripped the fields bare within hours."

"Ancient Egypt suffered repeated locust plagues."

The carob tree, or its edible pod — sometimes called the locust tree or locust bean.

"Locust pods are ground into a flour used as a chocolate substitute."

How to use locust

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA swarming crop-destroying grasshopper — also the name of the carob tree, whose pods look a bit like the insect.

Common pairings

a swarm of locusts locust plague locust tree

Word forms

locusted past tense, locusts plural, Locusts plural, locusts singular

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Etymology

From Latin locusta ("locust; also lobster"), via Anglo-Norman and Middle English locuste. A doublet of "langouste." The tree sense arose because carob pods resemble the insect's body shape.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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locust tree

Frequently asked questions

What does “locust” mean?

The word “locust” means a swarming grasshopper that devastates crops and vegetation in huge numbers. In plain terms, a swarming crop-destroying grasshopper — also the name of the carob tree, whose pods look a bit like the insect.

How do you pronounce “locust”?

“Locust” is pronounced LOH-kuhst (/ˈloʊ.kəst/ in IPA).

How do you use “locust” in a sentence?

Here is “locust” used in a sentence: “A cloud of locusts stripped the fields bare within hours.”

What part of speech is “locust”?

“Locust” is a noun.

Where does the word “locust” come from?

The word “locust” comes from Latin. From Latin locusta ("locust; also lobster"), via Anglo-Norman and Middle English locuste. A doublet of "langouste." The tree sense arose because carob pods resemble the insect's body shape.

How many meanings does “locust” have?

“Locust” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a swarming grasshopper that devastates crops and vegetation in huge numbers.