pathology

American  

[puh-thol-uh-jee] / pəˈθɒl ə dʒi /

noun

plural

pathologies

1. the science or the study of the origin, nature, and course of diseases.

2. the conditions and processes of a disease.

3. any deviation from a healthy, normal, or efficient condition.

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pathology British  

/ pəˈθɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of medicine concerned with the cause, origin, and nature of disease, including the changes occurring as a result of disease

2. the manifestations of disease, esp changes occurring in tissues or organs

3. any variant or deviant condition from normal

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pathology Scientific  

/ pə-thŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of disease and its causes, processes, and effects.

2. The physical and mental abnormalities that result from disease or trauma.

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pathology Cultural  

1. A branch of medicine that explores the nature and cause of disease. Pathology also involves the study of bodily changes that occur as the result of disease.

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Other Word Forms

• pathologist noun

Etymology

Origin of pathology

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier pathologia, from Latin, from Greek pathología; patho- ( def. ), -logy ( def. )

Example Sentences

Backing off, cleaning up mechanics and strengthening the right muscles early can help me prevent a minor irritation from progressing to tendinitis, rotator-cuff pathology or a more-persistent overuse injury.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Unequal influence is not a pathology of democracy.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

While the Alzheimer’s Association criteria define the disease by amyloid pathology in the brain, it says testing and treatment should occur only if a patient has cognitive symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

But officers needed a lot more than suspicion and this is where the findings of the pathology team proved so crucial in finding Kirsty's killer.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

When Nancy Jaax first applied to join the pathology group at the Institute, the colonel in charge of it didn’t want to accept her.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston