pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That field studies how pathogens become more dangerous. Rob Stein, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 Bait dumping is one of the many ways invasive aquatic species and pathogens are introduced into waterways. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025 Vaccines work by introducing antigens that mimic a pathogen, triggering lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to produce antibodies. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025 These have been heat-treated to kill off pathogens. Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathogen

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogen was in 1880

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a germ (as a bacterium or virus) that causes disease

Medical Definition

pathogen

noun
patho·​gen ˈpath-ə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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