pestilence

[ pes-tl-uhns ]

noun

1. a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.
2. bubonic plague.
3. something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.

pestilence

/ ˈpɛstɪləns /

noun

1. 1. any epidemic outbreak of a deadly and highly infectious disease, such as the plague
   2. such a disease
2. an evil influence or idea

Other Words From

• anti·pesti·lence adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestilence¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin pestilentia, from pestilent-, stem of pestilēns “unhealthy, noxious” ( pestilent ) + -ia -y ³( def )

Example Sentences

He added a dramatic invocation to the gods to rain down pestilence, misfortune and curses on any later ruler who dared to contravene them.

From Time

We take our pets, pests and pestilence with us wherever we go, and we go everywhere.

From Washington Post

This notion of pestilence as a “great equalizer” has remained in vogue ever since plague pop culture began.

From The Daily Beast

In dramatic lore their names are Death, Destruction, Pestilence, and Famine.

From The Daily Beast

In the meantime, I do kind of hope he wins Iowa, so that he can spread some of that pestilence around the GOP.

From The Daily Beast

The coded “proofs” are everywhere: Floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and pestilence.

From The Daily Beast

Cats, the Times told us, are a pestilence akin to gypsy moths and kudzu.

From The Daily Beast

I cannot reconcile the idea of a tender Heavenly Father with the known horrors of war, slavery, pestilence, and insanity.

From Project Gutenberg

Only in the sensational moments of famine, flood or pestilence was a general social effort called forth.

From Project Gutenberg

There is still mademoiselle, with her new-formed friends in Paris—may a pestilence blight them all!

From Project Gutenberg

And I will strike the inhabitants of this city, men and beasts shall die of a great pestilence.

From Project Gutenberg

But even an age of war and pestilence could be observed without torment from behind the protective shields of the Time Machine.

From Project Gutenberg