pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

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.
Additional research is underway examining other types of air pollution from the Tijuana River, including bacteria and other pathogens from sewage. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 Countries are still negotiating a system for sharing the genetic information on pathogens in return for access to vaccines themselves. Nicole Hassoun, The Conversation, 22 May 2025 Laundry sanitizers are useful when someone in your household has been sick with an enteric infection or to wash clothing that has been exposed to pathogens of human, animal, or agricultural origin. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025 Some adaptations to infectious pathogens came at a cost, however: strengthening resistance to ancient diseases might have elevated the likelihood of immune overreaction. Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathogen

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogen was in 1880

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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 How to pronounce pathogen (audio)
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease

More from Merriam-Webster on pathogen

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