oncology

1 of 2

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkä-lə-jē 

äŋ-

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or oncologic

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-jik 

oncologist

än-ˈkä-lə-jist 

äŋ-

noun

oncological

2 of 2

adjective

on·​co·​log·​ic·​al ¦äŋkə¦läjikəl 

variants or less commonly oncologic

-jik 

: of or relating to oncology

Examples of oncology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Di Cenzo remembers her oncology team discussing the uncertainty surrounding pregnancy and a hormone-sensitive cancer. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026

The character is a pediatric oncology surgeon, married to Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara in the Paramount+ spy thriller. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers already compete in oncology, meaning potential regulatory scrutiny on antitrust grounds. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

His work pioneered investigations into innovative approaches targeting cancer stem cells and integrative oncology. — Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

onco- + -logy

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oncology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumors

Medical Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē, äŋ- 

plural oncologies

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

also oncologic

-ik