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
Unknown water can be contaminated with parasites, bacteria or other pathogens, which can make dogs sick.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Data shows that generally accepted livestock waste management practices do not adequately or effectively protect water resources from contamination with excessive nutrients, microbial pathogens and pharmaceuticals present in the waste, according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Unless the temperatures in your compost get hot enough, some pathogens (which die at 145°F) and pests (which are killed at 160°F)1 can survive the composting process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Use soap on your water bottle In 2017, a team of researchers tested 90 reusable water bottles from a Midwestern college campus and determined that the portable drinking vessel can be a cesspool of pathogens.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
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Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Data shows that generally accepted livestock waste management practices do not adequately or effectively protect water resources from contamination with excessive nutrients, microbial pathogens and pharmaceuticals present in the waste, according to the National Library of Medicine.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Unless the temperatures in your compost get hot enough, some pathogens (which die at 145°F) and pests (which are killed at 160°F)1 can survive the composting process.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Use soap on your water bottle In 2017, a team of researchers tested 90 reusable water bottles from a Midwestern college campus and determined that the portable drinking vessel can be a cesspool of pathogens.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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