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

Services would include 24-hour urgent care, imaging, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, a pharmacy and laboratory services. —Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

In oncology, cures are celebrated, of course, but the deeper meaning of this work often lives somewhere else, in witnessing humanity at its most honest. —Khushali Jhaveri, STAT, 17 June 2026

Raymond James initiates Aktis Oncology as strong buy Raymond James says the radiopharma oncology company has a differentiated offering. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 16 June 2026

Because oncology appointments can feel rushed, and emotionally charged, caregivers often play a vital role in ensuring important questions get answered. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 June 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