English Reference

Word

pathologist

Phoneticspathol·o·gist

US/pəˈθɑɫədʒəst/

UK/pæθˈɒlədʒˌɪst/

Definition

n. a doctor who studies diseases by looking at body tissues and fluids. They often work in a lab to find out why someone is sick or how they died.

n. a medical specialist who examines bodies and body tissues to determine the cause and nature of diseases. Often involves performing autopsies or analyzing laboratory samples to assist in clinical diagnosis.

Examples

“The pathologist examined the tissue sample under a microscope.”

“After the surgery, the doctor sent the tumor to a pathologist to check if it was cancerous.”

“Forensic pathologists play a critical role in criminal investigations by determining the precise time and cause of death through detailed post-mortem examinations.”

Examples

simple

“The pathologist examined the tissue sample under a microscope.”

contextual

“After the surgery, the doctor sent the tumor to a pathologist to check if it was cancerous.”

complex

“Forensic pathologists play a critical role in criminal investigations by determining the precise time and cause of death through detailed post-mortem examinations.”

Usage

Often used in the context of hospital laboratories or forensic investigations.

Real-World Examples

“As a speech-language pathologist and researcher who studies swallowing disorders , I spend much of my time thinking about how to help people eat and drink safely.”
The Conversation · 3 Aug 2026
“The cases were submitted by coroners, forensic pathologists, and police forces between March 2019 and August 2024.”
ScienceDaily · 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From pathology + -ist.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference