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 In the 1910s, epidemiologist Joseph Goldberger was determined to prove that pellagra, a disease now known to be caused by severe vitamin B deficiency, was not caused by infectious pathogens. Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024 And necropsy data taken from dead fish samples so far has not turned up any communicable pathogens and the fish were negative for bacterial infections, according to the FWC. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024 Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same suite of soil pathogens. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024 And infectious pathogens spread more readily inside the crowded structures. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024 Unfortunately, there is insufficient knowledge about wild animals that may harbor thousands of unknown virus species that could be human pathogens. Raúl Rivas González, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Any person who develops respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms after exposure to the goats may be voluntarily tested for avian influenza and other respiratory pathogens. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024 Measles cripples the immune system, allowing other pathogens easier entry into the body. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 There are two different pathogens that cause two types of Boxwood Blight. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pathogen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near pathogen

Cite this Entry

“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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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