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

In many cases the polyps and even early cancers can simply be removed during a colonoscopy. —Richard Goldberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025

The prison health service aims to complete a colonoscopy within three months of a positive screening but the inspector general found the average wait time was eight months. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 21 May 2025

Their inflammatory markers were monitored through blood, urine, and stool samples, and colon polyps were examined through high-definition colonoscopies. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Doctors recommended that Trump undergo a follow-up colonoscopy in 2027. —Brett Samuels, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025

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