oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkä-lə-jē 

äŋ-

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or oncologic

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-jik 

oncologist

än-ˈkä-lə-jist 

äŋ-

noun

Examples of oncology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Medical oncology refers to using drugs to treat cancer, rather than surgery (surgical oncology) or radiation (radiation oncology). —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Sep. 2025

From precision medicine and digital therapeutics to health equity and real-world data, the contributors outline the structural and cultural changes reshaping oncology today. —Forbes Books Press Release Official, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Strong demand for oncology products like Keytruda and contributions from newer launches bolster revenue. —Tony Zhang, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025

The new center will have two advanced linear accelerators for radiation oncology, with the potential to add a third, and will also have an in-house retail pharmacy and specialty pharmacy, according to Mount Sinai. —Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

onco- + -logy

First Known Use

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oncology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumors

Medical Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē, äŋ- 

plural oncologies

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

also oncologic

-ik