pathogen
noun
path·o·gen
ˈpa-thə-jən 
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease
Examples of pathogen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This group of fungal pathogens affects hundreds of plants, from important food crops to trees, shrubs, and flowers.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Raw shellfish such as clams, mussels and scallops can contain pathogens picked up from contaminated water.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
In November, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention launched Africa Genome Archiving for Response and Insight, an online platform that will allow researchers across the continent to share genetic data on disease-causing pathogens of concern.
—Fran Kritz, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Raw goat milk poses food safety risks because it has not been treated to kill off harmful pathogens.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 30 Dec. 2025
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Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Raw shellfish such as clams, mussels and scallops can contain pathogens picked up from contaminated water.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
In November, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention launched Africa Genome Archiving for Response and Insight, an online platform that will allow researchers across the continent to share genetic data on disease-causing pathogens of concern.
—Fran Kritz, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
Raw goat milk poses food safety risks because it has not been treated to kill off harmful pathogens.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
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pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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