pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən 

: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, a range of different infectious pathogens and diseases can lead to different chronic medical conditions such as COVID-19 leading to long COVID, human papillomavirus to cervical cancer, Helicobacter pylori to stomach ulcers and cancer, Epstein-Barr Virus to lymphoma. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa, can cause. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025

Another harmful pathogen is rubella — an infection that has some symptoms in common with measles but is generally less severe. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

Other surveillance systems can track the pathogens no longer being monitored by FoodNet, the CDC also told NBC. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

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 

: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease