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

Recent Examples on the Web

But research suggests users can get around safeguards against dangerous capabilities such as creating pathogens. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026

The new research, which draws on 40 years of global trade records and pathogen data, attempts to measure the relationship on a larger scale. —Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

The setting may be out of time, but speaks to the present, as the villagers’ conservatism manifests as rejection, suspicion and persecution — treating outsiders or non-conformists as an invading pathogen. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026

The organization noted that polar regions, where animals have not had much previous exposure to pathogens, and animals that live close together in colonies, such as southern elephant seals, could be particularly hard-hit. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

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 

: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease