pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
studied plant pathology
2
: something abnormal:
a
: the structural and functional deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
the pathology of pneumonia
b
: deviation from propriety or from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial
the pathology of wine
c
: deviation giving rise to social ills
connections between these pathologies … and crime—
Wendy Kaminer
Wendy Kaminersocial pathology
Examples of pathology in a Sentence
the pathology of lung diseases
Recent Examples on the Web
The results from the forensic and pathology tests could take anywhere between one to four months to come back.
—Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
His thesis, which has been supported by a good amount of research, was that social pathologies including violent crime and mental illness could be tied to lead, and their decline in recent decades to measures such as a ban on leaded gas.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
The elemental dark forces informing so much of Lynch’s work went far beyond fire, and icy pathology.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
This stark contrast between her biological pathology and her cognitive condition is now prompting scientists to rethink the relationship between neuropathology and cognitive decline.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
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Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
His thesis, which has been supported by a good amount of research, was that social pathologies including violent crime and mental illness could be tied to lead, and their decline in recent decades to measures such as a ban on leaded gas.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
The elemental dark forces informing so much of Lynch’s work went far beyond fire, and icy pathology.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
This stark contrast between her biological pathology and her cognitive condition is now prompting scientists to rethink the relationship between neuropathology and cognitive decline.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
Cite this Entry
“Pathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathology. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of diseases and especially of the changes in the body produced by them
2
: something abnormal
especially
: the disorders in structure and function that occur in a particular disease
Medical Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
2
: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
3
: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities
a new pathology of the eye
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