First Known Use: 1602
Dictionary
infest
verb in·fest \in-ˈfest\
of something harmful or unwanted : to be in or over (a place, an animal, etc.) in large numbers
Full Definition of INFEST
transitive verb
1
: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner <a slum infested with crime> <shark-infested waters>
2
: to live in or on as a parasite
— in·fes·tant \-ˈfes-tənt\ noun
— in·fes·ta·tion \ˌin-ˌfes-ˈtā-shən\ noun
— in·fest·er \in-ˈfes-tər\ noun
See infest defined for English-language learners
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Origin of INFEST
French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile
Related to INFEST
- Synonyms
- overrun
INFEST Defined for Kids
infest
verb in·fest \in-ˈfest\
in·fest·edin·fest·ing
Definition of INFEST for Kids
: to spread or swarm in or over in a harmful manner <Termites infested the tree.>
Medical Dictionary
infest
transitive verb in·fest \in-ˈfest\
Medical Definition of INFEST
: to live in or on as a parasite <the flea that infests cats> <horses infested with worms>—compare infect
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