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

Her doctor then ordered an MRI, which led to an ultrasound and biopsies that found stage 1 invasive cancer in both breasts. —Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

After an ultrasound detected two more tumors in her right breast, which biopsies confirmed to be stage 1 invasive cancer, and another MRI confirmed cancer in the left breast as well, Munn underwent a double mastectomy. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

The ultrasound technician has marked the genital area that displays female reproductive parts. —Robin Elise Weiss, Phd, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

Share [Findings] Veterinarians developed an ultrasound schedule for pregnant dolphins, and marine biologists discovered four new species of walking sharks and found that gray seals clap at each other to communicate underwater. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

Just the beginning for MEMS ultrasound This is only the beginning for miniaturized ultrasound. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024

The next clip included Otis arriving at Hello My Baby for a 3D ultrasound. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

At the hospital, a midwife, Monica, also measured Evelyn’s uterus and conducted an ultrasound. —Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Rachel Fulton was pregnant when an ultrasound showed inadequate fetal development of the nervous system, lower spine, lungs, abdomen, feet and hands, as well as fluid buildup in tissues and organs, the lawsuit states. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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