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pathogenicity

American  
[path-oh-juh-nis-i-tee] / ˌpæθ oʊ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti /

noun

  1. the disease-producing capacity of a pathogen.


Etymology

Origin of pathogenicity

First recorded in 1895–1900; pathogenic + -ity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Professor Brown told the BBC that the current virus was "as super-infectious as any high pathogenicity avian influenza we've ever seen".

From BBC Nov. 6, 2025

Much to my chagrin, I learned there is a link between antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity, meaning that the C. acnes strains that are antibiotic-resistant are the same strains causing aggressive breakouts.

From Slate Feb. 22, 2025

Dr Peck also said that multiple transfers into F. xylarioides populations matched different parts of the Fusarium oxysporum mobile pathogenicity chromosome and were enriched in effector genes and transposons.

From Science Daily Dec. 5, 2024

The quail studies only involve flu viruses with so-called low pathogenicity.

From Science Magazine Feb. 16, 2024

There are, however, a certain few organisms which commonly express their pathogenicity in the formation of pus.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

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