locust: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (in entomology/agriculture), Literary
Quick answer
What does “locust” mean?
A large grasshopper species, typically belonging to the family Acrididae, that migrates in vast swarms and can cause severe damage to crops and vegetation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large grasshopper species, typically belonging to the family Acrididae, that migrates in vast swarms and can cause severe damage to crops and vegetation.
The term can be used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that devours or consumes resources voraciously and destructively. Historically, 'locust' also refers to the carob tree or its edible pod (Ceratonia siliqua).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties use the term for the insect and the metaphorical extension.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of biblical-scale plagues, destruction, and voracious consumption in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly higher potential exposure in American media due to historical references to 'Locust, Georgia' or 'Locust Grove' place names.
Grammar
How to Use “locust” in a Sentence
A swarm of LOCUSTS VERB (descended, swept, ate)LOCUSTS (plague, devastate, strip) OBJECT (the land, crops)Treat OBJECT (field) against LOCUSTSVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “locust” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fields were completely locusted within hours.
- (Rare; usually periphrastic: 'attacked by locusts')
American English
- (Rare; metaphorical) 'The discount shoppers locusted the clearance section.'
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- The locust swarm was a fearsome sight.
- They faced a locust year of poor harvests.
American English
- Locust control is a major priority for the agency.
- He had a locust-like appetite.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'Private equity firms were accused of behaving like locusts, stripping the company's assets.'
Academic
In environmental science/agriculture: 'The 2020 desert locust upsurge threatened food security across East Africa.'
Everyday
Describing a large, destructive group: 'The tourists descended on the village like a swarm of locusts, buying everything in sight.'
Technical
Entomology: 'Schistocerca gregaria, the desert locust, is the most economically significant migratory pest.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “locust”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “locust”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locust”
- Using 'locust' for a single, non-swarming grasshopper seen in a garden (technically possible but not the salient meaning). Misspelling as 'locus' (a central point).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All locusts are grasshoppers (family Acrididae), but not all grasshoppers are locusts. 'Locust' refers specifically to certain species that can change behaviour and form massive, migratory swarms under the right conditions.
They are completely different insects. Locusts are short-horned grasshoppers known for swarming and eating plants. Cicadas are known for their loud buzzing songs, have prominent eyes and transparent wings, and feed on plant sap (xylem). They do not form destructive swarms that eat crops.
It is extremely rare and non-standard as a verb. The typical construction is to use the noun metaphorically (e.g., 'They descended like locusts') or use 'devour'/'strip'.
This is an archaic/common name for the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), a tree native to North America, or the Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua). It is unrelated to the insect, though the Carob tree's pods were thought to resemble insect legs.
A large grasshopper species, typically belonging to the family Acrididae, that migrates in vast swarms and can cause severe damage to crops and vegetation.
Locust is usually formal, technical (in entomology/agriculture), literary in register.
Locust: in British English it is pronounced /ˈləʊ.kəst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈloʊ.kəst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A plague of locusts (an overwhelming, destructive influx)”
- “Lean as a locust (archaic: very thin)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOCUST swarm LOCking onto and cUSTing away all the crops (LOC + UST).
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE WHO CONSUME DESTRUCTIVELY ARE LOCUSTS (e.g., greedy corporations, invading armies).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, describing a firm as 'locust-like' implies it: