nonpathogenic

adjective

non·​patho·​gen·​ic ˌnän-ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce nonpathogenic (audio)
: not capable of causing disease
nonpathogenic bacterial strains

Examples of nonpathogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonpathogenic was in 1884

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 How to pronounce nonpathogenic (audio)
: not capable of causing disease

Medical Definition

nonpathogenic

adjective
non·​patho·​gen·​ic ˌnän-ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik How to pronounce nonpathogenic (audio)
: not capable of inducing disease compare avirulent
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