pathogen

American  

[path-uh-juhn, ‑-jen] / ˈpæθ ə dʒən, ‑ˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. any disease-producing agent, especially a virus, bacterium, or other microorganism.

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pathogen British  

/ ˈpæθəˌdʒiːn, ˈpæθəˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. any agent that can cause disease

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pathogen Scientific  

/ păth′ə-jən /

1. An agent that causes infection or disease, especially a microorganism, such as a bacterium or protozoan, or a virus.

2. See Note at germ

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pathogen Cultural  

1. A disease-causing agent. Microorganisms, viruses, and toxins are examples of pathogens.

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Other Word Forms

• antipathogen noun

Etymology

Origin of pathogen

First recorded in 1940–45; patho- + -gen

Example Sentences

This improvement helped increase the detection of viral RNA from pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, as well as DNA from other infectious agents.

From Science Daily

She added that the drugs did not provide effective coverage against a Gram-positive organism, which was the most likely pathogen causing the infection.

From BBC

"This is a large barrier to getting a strong signal for the animal, but it also gives us an opportunity to look for pathogens that infected herds and their handlers."

From Science Daily

An internal document in November listed Beyda as leading five of 16 new strategic initiatives, including updating the CDC’s agencywide response to outbreaks and crises, downsizing animal research and enhancing surveillance of novel pathogens.

From The Wall Street Journal

In simple terms, vaccines present the immune system with a recognizable piece of a pathogen -- such as the spike protein on SARS-CoV-2 -- so the body can quickly identify and attack the real virus later.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• ailment
• disease
• germ
• illness
• infection
• microbe
• microorganism
• sickness