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

Endoscopy and colonoscopy, in which a camera is passed into the gastrointestinal tract, is sometimes used with persistent symptoms and no clear diagnosis through other testing. —Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

That could mean patients skip tests for high cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease, or colonoscopies that detect cancer. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025

Five years ago, the shocking death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 raised awareness among Black men of the importance of having a colonoscopy. —Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 29 July 2025

This includes cancer screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies, statins for heart disease, immunizations, counseling on health behaviors related to weight management, alcohol and drug use, prenatal testing and HIV prevention (preexposure prophylaxis) medications. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 May 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