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

The virus is so contagious that any misstep could kill the patient on board and infect the crew members, who would then be vectors to spread the deadly pathogens across America.

From The Wall Street Journal

One side displays adjuvant molecules arranged at carefully controlled nanometer distances, while the opposite side presents selected antigens such as peptides or proteins from tumors or pathogens.

From Science Daily

The team showed that intelectin-2 can attach to microbes carrying these sugars, including several pathogens known to cause gastrointestinal infections.

From Science Daily

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

Related Words

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