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
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Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that causes a plant disease known as head blight, which destroys the heads of grain crops and contaminates them with harmful toxins.
—
Anna Skinner
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
The researchers tested the new tool against 177 viral-spiked patient samples and 130 viral-spiked serum samples infected with a range of pathogens – SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HBV, or HCV.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
In its first few months, the administration has suspended a program known as the Food Emergency Response Network Proficiency Testing that ensures food-testing labs accurately identify pathogens that can sicken or kill, according to a former FDA official.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to beachgoers.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
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Anna Skinner
hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
The researchers tested the new tool against 177 viral-spiked patient samples and 130 viral-spiked serum samples infected with a range of pathogens – SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HBV, or HCV.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
In its first few months, the administration has suspended a program known as the Food Emergency Response Network Proficiency Testing that ensures food-testing labs accurately identify pathogens that can sicken or kill, according to a former FDA official.
—Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that could be harmful to beachgoers.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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