pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən 

: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same scientific knowledge can support medical treatments or enable more dangerous pathogens. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

While there are many similarities between the diseases these pathogens cause, there are also defining characteristics which distinguish one from the other. — Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026

Pruning wounds are also more susceptible to warm-weather pathogens. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

Cooking kills many foodborne pathogens, so eating raw corn inherently carries a slightly higher risk of contracting a foodborne illness. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pathogen

noun

patho·​gen

ˈpath-ə-jən

: a germ (as a bacterium or virus) that causes disease

Medical Definition

pathogen

noun

patho·​gen ˈpath-ə-jən 

: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease