Pestilence Definition

pestilence
noun
  1. a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal
  2. any epidemic disease with a high death rate
  3. a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of; "racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation"; "according to him, I was the canker in their midst"

"Pestilence" in song lyrics

See how pestilence is used in real songs:

  • "the residents in the meadow of pestilence"
    Blackalicious f/ Lyrics Born, Saul Williams — Release
  • "Guess who? I'm swoopin through the air like pestilence"
    Boogiemonsters — Recognized Thresholds of Negative Stress
  • "Cause they don't deal with holy testaments just war and pestilence"
    DJ Vadim f/ Phi-Life Cypher — Ghetto Rebels

Usage tips for "pestilence"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "pestilence" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for pestilence to find words that pair well.

Look up another word