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

Backing off, cleaning up mechanics and strengthening the right muscles early can help me prevent a minor irritation from progressing to tendinitis, rotator-cuff pathology or a more-persistent overuse injury.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Unequal influence is not a pathology of democracy.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

With no other information to rely on, the work of the pathology team was to be crucial.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 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

“I specialize in the pathology and therapeutics of the blood,” he said.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson