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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Lymphoid follicles produce antibodies, such as immunoglobulin A, to neutralize pathogens. Lilia Goncharova, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 Unless these market dynamics change, antibiotic researchers will never be able to leverage the full benefits of AI, and physicians and patients will continue struggling mightily as pathogens evolve and new resistance patterns take hold. Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026 This level of cleaning is most important to do when someone is ill or when surfaces may be contaminated with disease-causing pathogens. Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026 The answer came only after DNA sequencing, which identified Mycoplasma phocimorsus as the pathogen. Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2026 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 13 Mar. 2026.

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

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