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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

Transmission was mainly between men who had sex with men, a population group with many HIV-infected individuals, who are particularly susceptible to monkeypox virus infection and pathogenicity.

From Science Daily Jan. 12, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan called for further efforts to improve COVID-19 prevention and control measures, urging "optimisation" of testing, treatment and quarantine policies, as the virus weakens in pathogenicity, according to state media.

From Reuters Dec. 1, 2022

A final important test in identification is that of pathogenicity.

From Contagious Abortion of Cows by Ward J. MacNeal

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