locust

noun

lo·​cust ˈlō-kəst How to pronounce locust (audio)
1
: short-horned grasshopper
especially : a migratory grasshopper often traveling in vast swarms and stripping the areas passed of all vegetation
2
: cicada
3
a
: any of various leguminous trees: such as
(1)
: carob sense 1
(2)
: black locust
(3)
: honey locust
b
: the wood of a locust tree

Examples of locust in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From late October to early November, the route offers a kaleidoscopic display of trees, such as quaking aspen, cottonwood, alder, bigtooth maple, New Mexican locust, and Arizona walnut, beginning at about mile marker 21. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 Great teeming swarms of them, with an occasional locust seen in big buggy close-up, and shots of flying from a locust’s-eye view (the Steadicam had just been invented). — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026 Future versions will integrate sensors and navigation systems, and extend the diving suit to locusts and beetles. — ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, the Lioness team is escorted through the trees to a bunker-base of operations as drones whiz across the sky like a plague of locusts and the ground around them erupts with mortars. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for locust

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French locuste, from Latin locusta

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of locust was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing locust

Rhymes for locust

See All Rhymes for locust

Browse Nearby Words

locus standi
locust
Locusta
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Locust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locust. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

locust

noun
lo·​cust ˈlō-kəst How to pronounce locust (audio)
1
a
: short-horned grasshopper
especially : a grasshopper that often migrates in vast swarms and eats up the plants in its course
b
: cicada
2
a
: any of various trees of the legume family with hard wood
b
: the wood of a locust

More from Merriam-Webster on locust

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about locust

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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