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
That increases the chances people will bring dangerous infections into the country and spread the pathogens, experts say.
—
Rob Stein, NPR, 11 June 2026
Water the soil at the base of the plant directly to keep its foliage dry and reduce the spread of plant pathogens.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
If a particular pathogen spikes in a community, the Health Security Operations Center will alert partners at local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
In their inspection, agency officials also found the farm’s cheese had recently tested presumptively positive for pathogens even after 60 days, showing the limitations of its aging process.
—Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
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Rob Stein, NPR, 11 June 2026
Water the soil at the base of the plant directly to keep its foliage dry and reduce the spread of plant pathogens.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 10 June 2026
If a particular pathogen spikes in a community, the Health Security Operations Center will alert partners at local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
In their inspection, agency officials also found the farm’s cheese had recently tested presumptively positive for pathogens even after 60 days, showing the limitations of its aging process.
—Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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