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 sustained high levels of activity in biotech and oncology sectors, both in earlier and later stage assets. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026

While further validation is required before clinical deployment, researchers say the patch represents a meaningful step toward less invasive, patient-friendly diagnostics in oncology and chronic disease management. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 2026

Every day, hundreds of medical studies appear in oncology alone. —Angelo Volandes, STAT, 30 Dec. 2025

View this Trade on OptionsPlay for Updated Prices Amgen is evolving into an upside play on obesity, rare disease, and oncology growth engines. —Tony Zhang, CNBC, 17 Dec. 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