-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
nonpathogenic
adjective
non·patho·gen·ic
ˌnän-ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik
: not capable of causing disease
nonpathogenic bacterial strains
Examples of nonpathogenic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike its infamous cousin, M. smegmatis is both nonpathogenic and commonly found in soil literally all over the world—from volcanic craters, to Antarctic climes, to the deepest ocean depths.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2023
Viral vector vaccines put genes for SARS-CoV-2 antigens into another, nonpathogenic virus.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2020
Nevertheless, carefully regulated probiotics, which introduce nonpathogenic competitors to disease, could be effective at balancing the gut microbiome.
—Michael Tennesen, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2011
The ReencleMicrobe mix at the heart of this process contains rice husks, vermiculite, nonpathogenic bacillus bacteria, ammonium sulfate, and wood pellets, according to the company.
—Richard Baguley, Wired, 31 Mar. 2022
The microbes in Russian children were dominated by a nonpathogenic form of Escherichia coli.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1884, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nonpathogenic
Cite this Entry
“Nonpathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonpathogenic. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nonpathogenic
adjective
non·patho·gen·ic
-ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik
: not capable of causing disease
Medical Definition
nonpathogenic
adjective
non·patho·gen·ic
ˌnän-ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik
: not capable of inducing disease compare avirulent
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share