oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkä-lə-jē 

äŋ-

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or oncologic

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-jik 

oncologist

än-ˈkä-lə-jist 

äŋ-

noun

Examples of oncology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pharma startup is a small molecule drug discovery and development company focused on unmet medical needs in oncology and autoimmune disorders. —Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026

The idea of inclusive representation is of increasing importance as oncology increasingly shifts toward precision medicine and clinicians strive to tailor treatment to the individual in front of them. —Yehoda Martei, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026

Investors who believe in the company’s mRNA platform revolutionizing oncology treatment might disregard near-term financial challenges. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Sue Hwang was a busy single mom juggling three kids, three dogs and a career in radiation oncology specializing in treating breast cancer. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

onco- + -logy

First Known Use

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oncology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumors

Medical Definition

oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē, äŋ- 

plural oncologies

: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer

oncological

ˌäŋ-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

also oncologic

-ik