pathogen

noun

path·​o·​gen ˈpa-thə-jən 

: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease

Examples of pathogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Black Sheep 2 will follow a young scientist who is convinced that a dangerous new pathogen threatens the population and tracks it back to her hometown – which is located in the shadow of the remote sheep station where the macabre events of the original Black Sheep unfolded. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

Avoid close contact: If someone near you is coughing or sneezing, try to politely distance yourself, or turn your air vent to create airflow that directs pathogens away from your body or face. —Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Flower blight or petal blight is also caused by a fungal pathogen. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024

Soil solarization can kill many plant pathogens, including some types of blight and wilt. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

patho- + -gen, after pathogenic, pathogenesis

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

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 

: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease