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
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.
Without all these genetic changes, there would be a chance the virus could revert to a dangerous, pathogenic form. Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 These are known to infect mycobacteria, a pathogenic species that causes leprosy, tuberculosis, and chronic lung infections, among other diseases. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2024 In 2020, a new, highly pathogenic form emerged in Europe and spread quickly around the world. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024 Rao and his colleagues identified CD4 T cells — or pathogenic T cells — as the ones causing an imbalance of B cells. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near pathogenic

Cite this Entry

“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogenic. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

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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