pathogenic

adjective

path·​o·​gen·​ic ˌpa-thə-ˈje-nik How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
Synonyms of pathogenicnext
1
: pathogenetic sense 1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenicity
ˌpa-thə-jə-ˈni-sə-tē How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
noun

Examples of pathogenic 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.
But then suddenly after a winter of heavy rain followed by hot weather, long-dormant pathogenic fungi suddenly come to life due to excess water in the root zone and bring about the tree’s demise. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026 On June 20 the strain of highly pathogenic bird flu that has killed wild birds and marine mammals on every other continent was confirmed in Australia for the first time. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Federal law allows the interstate sale of unpasteurized cheese as long as it’s aged for at least 60 days, though this doesn’t fully eliminate the risk — or account for a farm using pathogenic milk to make it. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Federal law allows the interstate sale of unpasteurized cheese as long as it’s aged for at least 60 days, though this doesn’t fully eliminate the risk — or account for a farm using pathogenic milk to make it. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathogenic

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -genic, after French pathogénique, German pathogenisch

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pathogenic was in 1850

Rhymes for pathogenic

See All Rhymes for pathogenic

Browse Nearby Words

pathogenetic
pathogenic
pathognomonic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pathogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogenic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pathogenic

adjective
patho·​gen·​ic
ˌpath-ə-ˈjen-ik
: causing or capable of causing disease

Medical Definition

pathogenic

adjective
patho·​gen·​ic -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
1
: pathogenetic sense 1
2
: causing or capable of causing disease
pathogenic microorganisms
pathogenically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce pathogenic (audio)
adverb

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pathogenic

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