noun
Uncommon
pathology
puh-THO-luhd-zhee
Pathology (noun) means the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease. Example: “She specialised in pathology during medical school.”
noun
1
The scientific study of the causes and effects of disease.
"She specialised in pathology during medical school."
2
The typical course or pattern of a particular disease.
"Researchers are studying the pathology of the virus."
How to use pathology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe branch of medicine that studies disease — what causes it, how it develops, and its effects on the body.
Common pairings
clinical pathology
speech pathology
pathology report
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Word forms
- Plural
- pathologies
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Etymology
From French pathologie, from Greek pathos ("disease") plus -logia ("study of").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pathology
See all rhymes for pathology →Frequently asked questions
What does “pathology” mean?
The word “pathology” means the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease. In plain terms, the branch of medicine that studies disease — what causes it, how it develops, and its effects on the body.
How do you pronounce “pathology”?
“Pathology” is pronounced puh-THO-luhd-zhee (/pəˈθɒləd͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “pathology” in a sentence?
Here is “pathology” used in a sentence: “She specialised in pathology during medical school.”
What part of speech is “pathology”?
“Pathology” is a noun.
Where does the word “pathology” come from?
The word “pathology” comes from French. From French pathologie, from Greek pathos ("disease") plus -logia ("study of").
Is “pathology” a common word?
“Pathology” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pathology” have?
“Pathology” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease.
What is the difference between pathology and disease?
Disease refers to the actual disorder or illness affecting a person or organism, while pathology is the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease. A doctor studies pathology to understand how and why a particular disease develops and progresses.
What does it mean to describe something as "the pathology of" a condition?
When used this way, pathology refers to the typical course or pattern that a particular disease follows, describing how it develops, progresses, and manifests in the body over time.
Is pathology only used in medicine?
While pathology is rooted in medical science, the term is also used more broadly to describe abnormal or dysfunctional patterns in other fields, such as discussing the "pathology" of a failing organization or system.
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