pathogenic

adjective

path·​o·​gen·​ic ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenicity noun

Examples of pathogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two new studies released in 2025 provide a mixed picture of how well our current antivirals are holding up against H5N1, the highly pathogenic bird flu virus that continues to spill over into mammals and humans. John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 In a press release, CBP stated that bringing raw or fresh eggs into the U.S. is largely prohibited due to the risk of spreading diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Virulent Newcastle Disease (ND). Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 In the first two months of 2025, 12.6 to 23.2 million birds were affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 Keeping Astronauts Healthy Future studies will be geared toward the detection of pathogenic (or disease-spreading) microbes and signals of human health from environmental metabolites, small molecules that are products of cellular metabolism. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathogenic

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogenic was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogenic. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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 How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenic microorganisms
pathogenically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogenic

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