pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 
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 crime—
Wendy Kaminer
Wendy Kaminersocial pathology
Examples of pathology in a Sentence
the pathology of lung diseases
Recent Examples on the Web
Knowing more about the pathology of a disease helps doctors better understand when and how to prevent, test and treat it, Branson said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
For example, significant investment is going into dermatology and pathology applications to leverage AI as a means to develop better diagnostic tools.
—Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Attendees learn the anatomy and pathology of common pain conditions and how to have less pain and a higher quality of life.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
Two dogs that mauled a 73-year-old woman in Idaho last year had cocaine in their systems, according to pathology reports obtained this week by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Laura A. Bischoff, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
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Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
For example, significant investment is going into dermatology and pathology applications to leverage AI as a means to develop better diagnostic tools.
—Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Attendees learn the anatomy and pathology of common pain conditions and how to have less pain and a higher quality of life.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
Two dogs that mauled a 73-year-old woman in Idaho last year had cocaine in their systems, according to pathology reports obtained this week by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Laura A. Bischoff, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
Cite this Entry
“Pathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathology. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē
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
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
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