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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishA swarming crop-destroying grasshopper — also the name of the carob tree, whose pods look a bit like the insect.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a swarm of locusts
locust plague
locust tree
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like locust.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- locusts
- Third person singular
- locusts
- Past tense
- locusted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A cloud of _____ stripped the fields bare within hours.
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.
Synonyms
View more →
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.
