pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Infectious disease outbreaks, like cholera or COVID, are common in conflict zones, as overcrowding in shelters and poor sanitation can stoke the spread of pathogens. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Air Pollution Might Age Skin, But Is Anti-Pollution Skincare the Fix? Our skin hosts a microflora, or microorganisms that are similar to the microbiome of the gut, that helps protect against invading pathogens. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 When the seat isn’t placed down, the concentrations of these invisible pathogens can spray feet into the air landing on textiles and surfaces. Meggen Harris, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In fact, viruses constitute about two-thirds of all new human pathogens. Raúl Rivas González, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 But so too will constructing the genomes of novel pathogens. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 That’s from the USDA’s recall notice, which indicates the pathogen would be salmonella. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2024 Now a novel pathogen threatens to rip through colonies of marine mammals and birds, potentially including penguins. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2024 The donor pig had been screened for pathogens multiple times using protocols accepted by the FDA, and the heart had been genetically modified to eliminate the risk of infection and rejection. Jen Christensen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pathogen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogen was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near pathogen

Cite this Entry

“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a germ (as a bacterium or virus) that causes disease

Medical Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen ˈpath-ə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogen

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