pathology

noun

pa·​thol·​o·​gy pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural pathologies

1

: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them

studied plant pathology

2

: something abnormal:

a

: the structural and functional deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease

the pathology of pneumonia

b

: deviation from propriety or from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial

the pathology of wine

c

: deviation giving rise to social ills

connections between these pathologies … and crime

—Wendy Kaminer

social pathology

Examples of pathology in a Sentence

the pathology of lung diseases

Recent Examples on the Web

The very basics of many gynecological and obstetrical pathologies are still poorly understood. —Catherine M. Klapperich, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024

Her pathology reports later came back positive for cancer. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024

During surgery, pieces of tissue are removed and sent to a pathology lab, where they are sliced up and examined under a microscope. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024

His death was confirmed by the University of Bristol, where Dr. Epstein was a professor of pathology from 1968 to 1985, and had also served as the head of the department for 15 years. —Delthia Ricks, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

An autopsy was done, deputies said, adding that forensic pathology helped identify the remains as Bartolo. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024

The study was also small, added Gary Goldenberg, MD, medical and cosmetic dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at the Icahn Sinai School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. —Korin Miller, Health, 26 Feb. 2024

The results of this algorithm have shown significant differences in oxygen saturation levels between various regions of the eye, providing valuable insights into the physiology and pathology of ocular diseases. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

In the report, researchers from the University of Texas and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scrutinized the electronic health records, imaging and pathology reports of 13 of the patients. —Barbara Mantel, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & New Latin; Middle French pathologie, borrowed from New Latin pathologia "study of the emotions, study of diseases," from patho- patho- + -logia -logy

Note: Probably formed on the basis of New Latin pathologicus (see pathological). In the sense "study of the emotions," perhaps directly from Greek pathología "study of the passions," attested in Greek-Latin glossaries.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pathology

noun

pa·​thol·​o·​gy pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

plural pathologies

1

: the study of diseases and especially of the changes in the body produced by them

2

: something abnormal

especially : the disorders in structure and function that occur in a particular disease

Medical Definition

pathology

noun

pa·​thol·​o·​gy -jē 

plural pathologies

1

: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them

2

: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease

3

: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities

a new pathology of the eye