pathology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic/Medical
Quick answer
What does “pathology” mean?
The scientific study of diseases, their causes, processes, development, and consequences.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific study of diseases, their causes, processes, development, and consequences.
Any deviation from a healthy, normal, or efficient condition; unhealthy or abnormal functioning, especially in a mental or social context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling always follows '-ology'.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Highly technical and neutral within medicine, often negative or critical in extended social/moral uses.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English due to the common use of 'pathologist' as a job title in healthcare contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pathology” in a Sentence
N of N (pathology of the liver)Adj N (molecular pathology)N + preposition (pathology in the sample)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pathology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tissue sample was sent to the lab to be pathologised.
- Researchers aim to pathologise the early stages of the syndrome.
American English
- The lab will pathology the biopsy.
- The movement sought to pathologize certain addictive behaviors.
adverb
British English
- The cells were pathologically altered.
- He was pathologically afraid of germs.
American English
- The tissue reacted pathologically.
- She is pathologically punctual.
adjective
British English
- The pathologist provided a pathology report.
- They observed pathological changes in the cells.
American English
- She works in the pathology department.
- His lying was deemed pathological.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical use, e.g., 'The pathology of the corporate culture led to its collapse.'
Academic
Very common. Core term in medical and biological sciences, and in critical social sciences/humanities.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly in discussions about medical test results ('The pathology report came back clear.') or in figurative criticism.
Technical
The default and most frequent context. Refers precisely to the medical specialism and laboratory analysis of tissues/bodily fluids.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pathology”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pathology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pathology”
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (*PATH*ology).
- Using as a direct synonym for 'disease' in non-technical contexts (e.g., 'He has a pathology' sounds overly clinical).
- Confusing 'pathology' (study of disease) with 'etiology' (study of causes).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pathology is the broad study of disease. Pathogenesis specifically refers to the origin and development of a disease.
Yes. 'Clinical psychology' and 'psychopathology' are fields that study mental disorders. The term can be used, but 'psychopathology' is more specific for mental/behavioral disorders.
A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in pathology. Pathology is the field of study or the findings themselves.
In its core medical sense, it's usually uncountable ('study pathology'). In extended, often social science contexts, it can be countable to refer to specific unhealthy conditions ('the pathologies of modern life').
The scientific study of diseases, their causes, processes, development, and consequences.
Pathology is usually formal/academic/medical in register.
Pathology: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈθɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈθɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A textbook case of pathology”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PATH-O-LOGY: Think of the PATH a disease takes, and the LOGIC (-logy) of studying it.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS A JOURNEY (investigate the *path* of illness), ABNORMALITY IS A FOREIGN ENTITY (the *pathology* invaded the system).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'pathology' used most precisely?