pathogenic

adjective

path·​o·​gen·​ic ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik 

1

: pathogenetic sense 1

2

: causing or capable of causing disease

pathogenicity

ˌpa-thə-jə-ˈni-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of pathogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Frontier models raise stakes A second case involved research into highly pathogenic avian influenza. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Many pathogenic bacteria survive by adapting to changing conditions inside the body. — Shiladitya Banerjee, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Laboratory experiments confirmed the prediction, and the variant was reclassified as likely pathogenic. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

The composition of the gut microbiota can be altered by a variety of factors, most notably the use of antibiotics, which may eliminate beneficial as well as pathogenic bacteria. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -genic, after French pathogénique, German pathogenisch

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pathogenic

• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic
• biogenic
• bronchogenic
• chromogenic
• cryogenic
• echogenic
• estrogenic
• isogenic

Kids Definition

pathogenic

adjective

patho·​gen·​ic

ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik

: causing or capable of causing disease

Medical Definition

pathogenic

adjective

patho·​gen·​ic -ˈjen-ik 

1

: pathogenetic sense 1

2

: causing or capable of causing disease

pathogenic microorganisms

pathogenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb