colonoscopy

noun

co·​lo·​nos·​co·​py ˌkō-lə-ˈnä-skə-pē 

plural colonoscopies

: endoscopic examination of the colon

colonoscope

kō-ˈlä-nə-ˌskōp 

noun

Examples of colonoscopy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although Marino was just 32 at the time, her doctor arranged a colonoscopy. —Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Most often, that’s a colonoscopy. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026

In one analysis of a new colonoscopy technique, complication rates varied almost twofold between physicians — a far greater variation than seen with the traditional colonoscopy technique. —Mathias P. Bostrom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026

There is also a feature that reminds people to take their medications and when to start screenings like colonoscopies and individual risks of each type of cancer. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colonoscopy

• virtual colonoscopy

Rhymes for colonoscopy

• laparoscopy
• arthroscopy
• colposcopy
• cystoscopy
• fluoroscopy
• spectroscopy

Medical Definition

colonoscopy

noun

co·​lo·​nos·​co·​py ˌkō-lə-ˈnäs-kə-pē  ˌkäl-ə- 

plural colonoscopies

: endoscopic examination of the colon

transabdominal colonoscopy with a sigmoidoscope via colotomy

colonoscopic

kō-ˌlän-ə-ˈskäp-ik 

adjective