pathogen
noun
path·o·gen
ˈpa-thə-jən 
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease
Examples of pathogen in a Sentence
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Early research raised hopes for a vaccine that would protect against all respiratory pathogens simultaneously, rather than just a single disease such as influenza.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The current first-choice treatment for sepsis focuses on using broad-spectrum antibiotics to attack the pathogen causing the condition.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
But in recent decades, pathogens have become resistant to many of these drugs due to overuse.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
As Solomon detailed in his book, future Martian colonists, separated by distance and generations, would almost certainly develop vastly different immune systems shaped by their native environment, leaving them extremely vulnerable to foreign pathogens.
—Big Think, 19 Feb. 2026
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Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The current first-choice treatment for sepsis focuses on using broad-spectrum antibiotics to attack the pathogen causing the condition.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026
But in recent decades, pathogens have become resistant to many of these drugs due to overuse.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
As Solomon detailed in his book, future Martian colonists, separated by distance and generations, would almost certainly develop vastly different immune systems shaped by their native environment, leaving them extremely vulnerable to foreign pathogens.
—Big Think, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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