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

Md Babul Hosen | Istock | Getty Images Cyclospora is a parasite that's trickier to track than some other pathogens. — Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 23 July 2026

But more awareness and better practices didn’t stop McAfee’s customers from continuing to get sick — in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2016 — and the farm had to issue recalls more than half a dozen times after pathogens were found in its products. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 23 July 2026

Unfortunately, night watering creates the perfect conditions for slugs and pathogens to thrive. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 23 July 2026

Anticipating the pathogen’s arrival, New Zealand had been regularly testing thousands of birds for the last year. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 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