# pathology

/pəˈθɑɫədʒi/ (US) · /pæθˈɒlədʒi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pathology
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. medical study

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the branch of medicine that studies the causes and effects of diseases.

For teachers: the scientific study of the nature, causes, and development of disease through the examination of organs, tissues, and bodily fluids.

- She decided to specialize in pathology to help doctors identify rare illnesses.
- Advances in molecular pathology have allowed clinicians to identify genetic markers that predict how a patient will respond to specific chemotherapy treatments.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the field of study.

### 2. signs of disease

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the physical or mental changes caused by a specific disease.

For teachers: the anatomical or functional manifestations of a disease; a specific abnormality or deviation from a healthy state.

- The doctor examined the scan to see the pathology of the tumor.
- The autopsy revealed a complex pathology in the lungs that had been masked by the patient's secondary infections.

Usage: Can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific instances of abnormality.

### 3. social or mental problem

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Literary

a pattern of behavior or a social condition that is considered unhealthy or broken.

For teachers: a social or psychological condition viewed as a functional disorder or a departure from normal health.

- The book explores the social pathology that leads to high crime rates in cities.
- The essay argues that the widespread corruption was not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper political pathology within the administration.

Teaching tip: In this sense, the word is often used metaphorically to describe problems in society or government as if they were biological diseases.

## Examples

- The doctor sent the tissue sample to pathology for testing.
- Understanding the pathology of the virus helped researchers develop a more effective vaccine for the elderly.
- The forensic report detailed the complex pathology of the infection, tracing its rapid progression from the initial site to the patient's major organs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.