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

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

That means investing in pan-filovirus diagnostics capable of detecting every pathogenic Ebola virus species. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026

These large studies have also shown that the symptoms caused by pathogenic mutations are commonly milder than doctors had believed. — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Though family members were not encouraged to pursue genetic testing at the time, advances in research later revealed that her sister carried a pathogenic BRCA1 gene variant, prompting Evert to get tested herself. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 June 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