pathogenic

American  

[path-uh-jen-ik] / ˌpæθ əˈdʒɛn ɪk /

adjective

1. Pathology. capable of producing disease.

   pathogenic bacteria.

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pathogenic British  

/ ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

1. able to cause or produce disease

   pathogenic bacteria

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pathogenic Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for a thing or condition that can cause disease.

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Other Word Forms

• antipathogenic adjective
• nonpathogenic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pathogenic

First recorded in 1850–55; patho- + -genic

Example Sentences

“There’s no pathogenic bacteria correlating us to anybody,” said McAfee.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

What has helped is that the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has faded.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

"The 3D genome organization provides a powerful framework for predicting which genes are likely to be affected by these pathogenic variants," Yue said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

Remarkably, Cal-Maine achieved these results during a time of volatile egg prices, continued vulnerability of flocks to the highly pathogenic avian influenza External link, and a weary consumer.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

This old pathogenic role, which has been taught to all the medical and veterinary generations of our time, is quite true.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy