pestilence

[ pes-tl-uh ns ]
/ ˈpɛs tl əns /

noun

a deadly or virulent epidemic disease.
something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.

Origin of pestilence

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French < Latin pestilentia. See pestilent, -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM pestilence

an·ti·pes·ti·lence, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for pestilence

British Dictionary definitions for pestilence

pestilence
/ (ˈpɛstɪləns) /

noun

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

Medical definitions for pestilence

pestilence
[ pĕstə-ləns ]

n.

A usually fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.
An epidemic of such a disease.