pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the case of one kind of typhus fever, for example, lice excrete the pathogen in their feces. Ari Daniel, NPR, 3 June 2024 The concept of pathogens as a driver came up, and Davies assumed that someone would have looked at that possibility before. Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024 The Food and Drug Administration has long advised against drinking raw milk, which can contain a number of dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 May 2024 Pasteurization heats every particle of a food to a specific temperature for a continuous length of time in order to kill the most heat-resistant pathogen associated with that product. Kerry E. Kaylegian, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pathogen 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pathogen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogen was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near pathogen

Cite this Entry

“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a germ (as a bacterium or virus) that causes disease

Medical Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen ˈpath-ə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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