oncogenic

1 of 2

adjective

on·​co·​gen·​ic ˌäŋ-kō-ˈje-nik How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
1
: relating to tumor formation
2
: tending to cause tumors
oncogenicity
ˌäŋ-kō-jə-ˈni-sə-tē How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
noun

oncogenicity

2 of 2

noun

on·​co·​ge·​nic·​i·​ty ˌäŋkōjə̇ˈnisə̇tē How to pronounce oncogenicity (audio)
plural -es
: the capacity to induce or form tumors

Examples of oncogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The oncogenic mutation in the proto-oncogene converts one of the amino acids in the cell, glycine, into cystine. — Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2022 Scientists can’t fully control where in the body its genes are introduced; Bluebird tried to determine whether its gene had been inserted into an oncogenic location—a place with cancer-causing potential. — Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022 There isn’t sufficient evidence to indicate that COVID is an oncogenic, or cancer-causing, virus, a half-dozen researchers contacted for this article said. — Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 Recurrent damage within cells results in apoptosis, a rescue mechanism preventing oncogenic transformation but also triggering a cascade of events that promote aging and aging-related disorders. — Salvatore Viscomi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

onco- + -genic

Noun

onco- entry 1 + -genic + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncogenic was in 1936

Rhymes for oncogenic

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Oncogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncogenic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

oncogenic

adjective
on·​co·​gen·​ic -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
variants also oncogenous
äŋ-ˈkäj-ə-nəs How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
1
: relating to tumor formation
2
: tending to cause tumors
an oncogenic virus
oncogenic tars
oncogenically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
adverb
oncogenicity
-jə-ˈnis-ət-ē How to pronounce oncogenic (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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