oncogenic

adjective

on·​co·​gen·​ic ˌäŋ-kō-ˈje-nik How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
1
: relating to tumor formation
2
: tending to cause tumors
oncogenicity noun

Examples of oncogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Senescence is a natural process of replicative arrest that prevents an oncogenic transformation of aberrant cells. Salvatore Viscomi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 The oncogenic mutation in the proto-oncogene converts one of the amino acids in the cell, glycine, into cystine. Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2022 Scientists can’t fully control where in the body its genes are introduced; Bluebird tried to determine whether its gene had been inserted into an oncogenic location—a place with cancer-causing potential. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

onco- + -genic

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncogenic was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Oncogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncogenic. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

oncogenic

adjective
on·​co·​gen·​ic -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
variants also oncogenous
1
: relating to tumor formation
2
: tending to cause tumors
an oncogenic virus
oncogenic tars
oncogenically adverb
oncogenicity noun
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