ultrasound

noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd 

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

In early May, Mary underwent a CT scan and an ultrasound, which revealed a 7.3 cm mass on her left ovary and a 1.5 cm mass on her right ovary. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 3 July 2025

Other health care services: The Healing Center also partners with Life Forward to provide medical consultations, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, vision screenings and eyeglasses, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, quarterly mammograms and referrals. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Peripheral arterial disease carotid ultrasound to measure blood flow in the carotid arteries. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Of all the therapies evaluated, ultrasound ranked lowest in terms of benefit. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ultrasound

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background

Kids Definition

ultrasound

noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd 

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 

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