oncology

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

Examples of oncology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nurses use their expertise to respond to the most traumatic injuries and care for patients in all fields — from oncology to obstetrics to orthopedics. —Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025

These investments are driving innovations in areas such as research, oncology and drug development. —Ami Bhatt, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

On Tuesday morning, AstraZeneca reported a 10% year-on-year rise in total revenue, which hit $13.59 billion thanks to double-digit growth in the company’s oncology and biopharmaceuticals divisions. —Jenni Reid, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025

Kathryn Schmitz is an exercise oncology researcher at the University of Pittsburgh and the director of the Moving Through Cancer Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

onco- + -logy

First Known Use

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