pathogenic

adjective

path·​o·​gen·​ic ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenicity noun

Examples of pathogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Egg supply is shrinking Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as the bird flu, has impacted nearly 101 million birds across 48 US states since January 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Matt Egan, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024 The man worked on a farm with cattle infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza strain that's spreading across the U.S. in poultry and dairy cows. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 22 May 2024 In 2015, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry farms reached its peak in April and May, the same time birds migrated north. Todd Cornish, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2024 These symbionts help fight off pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Sarah Everts, TIME, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for pathogenic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pathogenic.' 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- + -genic, after French pathogénique, German pathogenisch

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogenic was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near pathogenic

Cite this Entry

“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogenic. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pathogenic

adjective
patho·​gen·​ic
ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik
: causing or capable of causing disease

Medical Definition

pathogenic

adjective
patho·​gen·​ic -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenic microorganisms
pathogenically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogenic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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