noun
pestilence
PEHS-tuh-luhns
Pestilence (noun) means a deadly, widespread disease; a plague. Example: “The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence.”
noun
1
A deadly, widespread disease; a plague.
"The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence."
How to use pestilence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, literary word for a deadly epidemic.
When to use it
Mostly literary or historical in tone — rarely used in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- pestilences
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The city was ravaged by famine and _____.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pestilence
See all rhymes for pestilence →Frequently asked questions
What does “pestilence” mean?
The word “pestilence” means a deadly, widespread disease; a plague. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, literary word for a deadly epidemic.
How do you pronounce “pestilence”?
“Pestilence” is pronounced PEHS-tuh-luhns (/ˈpɛstələn(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “pestilence” in a sentence?
Here is “pestilence” used in a sentence: “The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence.”
What part of speech is “pestilence”?
“Pestilence” is a noun.
Where does the word “pestilence” come from?
The word “pestilence” comes from Latin. From Old French, ultimately from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome").
