catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈka-thə-tər 

ˈkath-tər

: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open compare balloon catheter

Examples of catheter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doctors insert a thin, flexible catheter into a blood vessel and steer it up to the heart using real-time imaging guidance to place a sealing device. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

To get around the blood-brain barrier, the team injected the cells directly into the tumor site on the brain through a catheter. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

Doctors quickly decided to perform something called a mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure that uses a catheter to physically remove a blood clot and restore circulation to the brain. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026

Candida auris usually affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions and people with invasive medical devices such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes and catheters, according to the CDC. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek kathetēr, from kathienai to send down, from kata- cata- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing catheter

• balloon catheter
• Foley catheter

Medical Definition

catheter

noun

cath·​e·​ter ˈkath-ət-ər, ˈkath-tər 

: a tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (as to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open)