pathogen
noun
path·o·gen
ˈpa-thə-jən 
: a specific causative agent (such as a bacterium or virus) of disease
Examples of pathogen in a Sentence
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The researchers used human lung epithelial cells, which line the respiratory tract and serve as a defense against inhaled pathogens and particles.
—
New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
The researchers found the pathogens — Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis, bacteria that cause paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, respectively — by analyzing teeth from the fallen soldiers who were found in a mass grave uncovered in 2001 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Because many water sources are contaminated with fecal matter, oysters from those waters can also carry harmful pathogens.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
These methods sort through the DNA in a sample looking for specific genes that are signatures of parasites like pinworms, as well as bacterial pathogens.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
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New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
The researchers found the pathogens — Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis, bacteria that cause paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, respectively — by analyzing teeth from the fallen soldiers who were found in a mass grave uncovered in 2001 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Because many water sources are contaminated with fecal matter, oysters from those waters can also carry harmful pathogens.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
These methods sort through the DNA in a sample looking for specific genes that are signatures of parasites like pinworms, as well as bacterial pathogens.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathogen
Cite this Entry
“Pathogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathogen. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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pathogen
noun
patho·gen
ˈpath-ə-jən
: a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease
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