noun

pestilence

PEHS-tuh-luhns

Pestilence (noun) means a deadly, widespread disease; a plague. Example: “The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence.”

noun

A deadly, widespread disease; a plague.

"The city was ravaged by famine and pestilence."

How to use pestilence

Learner’s notes

In 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.

pestilences plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The city was ravaged by famine and _____.

From Old French, ultimately from Latin pestilentia ("plague"), from pestilens ("infected, unwholesome").

Origin: Latin

plague pest canker pestis

harry plague epidemic provoke pest haunt nuisance harass

hence fence whence thence Spence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience

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").

harry plague epidemic provoke pest haunt nuisance harass