infest
in|fest /ɪnf'est/ (infests infesting infested)
1 [VERB] V n
When creatures such as insects or rats infest plants or a place, they are present in large numbers and cause damage.
...pests like aphids which infest cereal crops.
● infested [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
The prison is infested with rats...
● -infested [COMB in ADJ]
...the rat-infested slums where the plague flourished.
● infestation [N-VAR] oft n N, N of n
The premises were treated for cockroach infestation...
2 [VERB] V n
If you say that people or things you disapprove of or regard as dangerous are infesting a place, you mean that there are large numbers of them in that place.
Crime and drugs are infesting the inner cities.
= overrun
● infested [ADJ]
The road further south was infested with bandits.
● -infested [COMB in ADJ]
...the shark-infested waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
1 [VERB] V n
When creatures such as insects or rats infest plants or a place, they are present in large numbers and cause damage.
...pests like aphids which infest cereal crops.
● infested [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
The prison is infested with rats...
● -infested [COMB in ADJ]
...the rat-infested slums where the plague flourished.
● infestation [N-VAR] oft n N, N of n
The premises were treated for cockroach infestation...
2 [VERB] V n
If you say that people or things you disapprove of or regard as dangerous are infesting a place, you mean that there are large numbers of them in that place.
Crime and drugs are infesting the inner cities.
= overrun
● infested [ADJ]
The road further south was infested with bandits.
● -infested [COMB in ADJ]
...the shark-infested waters of the Great Barrier Reef.