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

Wisconsin agriculture officials have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County, in the northwestern part of the state. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday that Jackie died from highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Collins, the study's lead author, was researching ways to protect corals from pathogenic bacteria found on plastic. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Scientists at Northwestern University in the US and the University of California, Santa Barbara, have discovered a consistent anchor point on tau proteins where the molecules meet before contorting into a pathogenic shape. — Mike McRae 13, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 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