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

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

The analysts expect management to continue highlighting uptake of innovative instruments and assays in areas like pathology and immunoassay through the year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Enstice's conclusion was further discredited by Dr. Werner Spitz, who had authored the medical treatise Enstice had relied on in her forensic pathology training.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson