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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rise in prices and supply issues have been largely driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025 The rise in prices and supply issues have been largely driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025 The rise in prices has been largely driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025 Whenever a bird gets the virus, the whole flock gets slaughtered to prevent the highly pathogenic avian influenza from advancing further. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathogenic

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogenic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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

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