ultrasound

noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd How to pronounce ultrasound (audio)
plural ultrasounds
1
: vibrations of the same physical nature as sound but with frequencies above the range of human hearing
2
: the diagnostic or therapeutic use of ultrasound and especially a noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities

called also sonography, ultrasonography

3
: a diagnostic examination using ultrasound
The patient was scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound.
prenatal ultrasounds

Examples of ultrasound in a Sentence

They used ultrasound to examine his heart. She had an ultrasound exam this morning. She had an ultrasound this morning. She showed me an ultrasound of her unborn baby.
Recent Examples on the Web The next clip included Otis arriving at Hello My Baby for a 3D ultrasound. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Along with Hussin, the van, which is stocked with medication and equipment, including an ultrasound machine, is staffed with a doctor, practical nurse, lab technician and a medical assistant. D. Parvaz, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Blood work, several doctor visits and a liver ultrasound led to his diagnosis. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 An inscrutable and potentially supernatural ultrasound reading will occur. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Newsletters Sign up for Morning Rounds Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Privacy Policy A crucial difference between in-person and remote prescriptions is the frequency of ultrasound used to determine the gestational age of a pregnancy. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024 From there, Animal Kingdom staff monitored every aspect of her pregnancy, conducting ultrasounds, checking her vital signs and adjusting her diet as necessary. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024 And ultrasound combined with LED therapy, negative ionization, lots of cryotherapy. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2024 By comparison, said Upadhyay, nearly all in-person medication abortions are prescribed following an ultrasound, which makes the process more expensive and more involved and time-consuming for both patient and health care provider. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ultrasound.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultrasound was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near ultrasound

Cite this Entry

“Ultrasound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultrasound. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ultrasound

noun
ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd How to pronounce ultrasound (audio)
1
: ultrasonic vibrations
2
: the use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis or treatment and especially a technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for examining internal body structures and detecting abnormalities in the body

Medical Definition

ultrasound

1 of 2 noun
ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd How to pronounce ultrasound (audio)
1
: vibrations of the same physical nature as sound but with frequencies above the range of human hearing compare infrasound
2
: the diagnostic or therapeutic use of ultrasound and especially a noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities

called also echography, sonography, ultrasonography

3
: a diagnostic examination using ultrasound

ultrasound

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, performed by, using, or specializing in ultrasound
an ultrasound technician
ultrasound imaging

More from Merriam-Webster on ultrasound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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