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

Eighteen months later, a colonoscopy found colorectal cancer, which was treated with a surgery that removed 16 inches of his colon. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026

This is especially important because early mechanical changes may be too subtle for doctors to detect during routine exams or colonoscopies, which are recommended starting at age 45 for screening colon cancer. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

That’s why it’s sometimes used before medical procedures like colonoscopies, abdominal surgeries and other bowel exams. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026

In this case, the patient may be advised to start colonoscopy screenings before age 45. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 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