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

Bird Flu Is on the Rise The rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, at this time of year is not abnormal. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by a virus that can result in serious illness and death in birds and mammals. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had ordered the birds to be euthanized after detecting highly pathogenic avian influenza on the farm in late December 2024. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

In a 2024 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology scientists found probiotics may reduce inflammation and pathogenic microbes in the gut, as well as potentially improve outcomes for cognition. —Lauryn Higgins, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

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