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.
Di Cenzo remembers her oncology team discussing the uncertainty surrounding pregnancy and a hormone-sensitive cancer. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026 The character is a pediatric oncology surgeon, married to Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara in the Paramount+ spy thriller. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers already compete in oncology, meaning potential regulatory scrutiny on antitrust grounds. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 His work pioneered investigations into innovative approaches targeting cancer stem cells and integrative oncology. — Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 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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Nglish: Translation of oncology for Spanish Speakers

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