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

Expect telehealth providers to begin bundling exit planning into the initial TRT prescription within the next year, the way responsible oncology practices discuss survivorship at diagnosis. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

New therapies, biomarker testing, evolving clinical evidence and rapidly changing treatment guidelines are transforming oncology into one of the fastest-moving fields in medicine. — Brad Kreick, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Cancer patients send well-wishing notes to Leo The Vatican also released photos of some get-well notes that had been sent to Leo from patients at Gemelli's pediatric oncology ward. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Advances in surgery, systemic therapy and radiation oncology are allowing treatment to become increasingly precise. — Baptist Health, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

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