pathology

noun

pa·​thol·​o·​gy pə-ˈthä-lə-jē How to pronounce pathology (audio)
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
studied plant pathology
2
: something abnormal:
a
: the structural and functional deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
the pathology of pneumonia
b
: deviation from propriety or from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial
the pathology of wine
c
: deviation giving rise to social ills
connections between these pathologies … and crimeWendy Kaminer
social pathology

Examples of pathology in a Sentence

the pathology of lung diseases
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers collected pathology reports, demographics, symptoms, and family history. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Oct. 2025 In DaCosta’s world, a woman acting badly is met with neither judgement nor pathology, but unflinching curiosity. Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 The pair met during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia when the football player was home training for the NFL and Victoria was attending graduate school for speech-language pathology. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 These findings are remarkable given the close association between pTau217 and the amyloid beta pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Robert Martone, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathology

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & New Latin; Middle French pathologie, borrowed from New Latin pathologia "study of the emotions, study of diseases," from patho- patho- + -logia -logy

Note: Probably formed on the basis of New Latin pathologicus (see pathological). In the sense "study of the emotions," perhaps directly from Greek pathología "study of the passions," attested in Greek-Latin glossaries.

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathology was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Pathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathology. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pathology

noun
pa·​thol·​o·​gy pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē How to pronounce pathology (audio)
plural pathologies
1
: the study of diseases and especially of the changes in the body produced by them
2
: something abnormal
especially : the disorders in structure and function that occur in a particular disease

Medical Definition

pathology

noun
pa·​thol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce pathology (audio)
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
2
: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
3
: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities
a new pathology of the eye

More from Merriam-Webster on pathology

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