oncology

noun

on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce oncology (audio)
äŋ-
: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer
oncological
ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce oncology (audio)
adjective
or oncologic
ˌäŋ-kə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce oncology (audio)
oncologist
än-ˈkä-lə-jist How to pronounce oncology (audio)
äŋ-
noun

Examples of oncology 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.
Before that, Economides served as CFO and chief business officer of CellCentric, a clinical-stage oncology company. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 Pharmaceutical companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck and Kura are working with Illumina to develop precision oncology solutions. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Pathos is also expanding from oncology to neurological conditions with new datasets from Tempus AI and a partnership with BMS that will first focus on Alzheimer’s treatments. — Katherine MacPhail, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 After the visit, the cancer survivor, their oncology team and their primary care clinician receive a care plan to help coordinate care and communication among all their providers. — Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oncology

Word History

Etymology

onco- + -logy

First Known Use

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oncology was circa 1857

Rhymes for oncology

See All Rhymes for oncology

Browse Nearby Words

oncological
oncology
oncome
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oncology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oncology. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oncology

noun
on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce oncology (audio)
: a branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of tumors

Medical Definition

oncology

noun
on·​col·​o·​gy än-ˈkäl-ə-jē, äŋ- How to pronounce oncology (audio)
plural oncologies
: a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and study of cancer
oncological
ˌäŋ-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce oncology (audio)
adjective
also oncologic
-ik How to pronounce oncology (audio)
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