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

Grail says its Galleri test should be additive to standardized cancer screenings, like colonoscopies and mammograms, and not be used as a replacement. — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026

An ultrasound found lesions on his liver — and a colonoscopy found cancer in his colon. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

The new research highlights an association but does not mean that low levels cause cancer or that people should rush to get an early colonoscopy due to low levels alone. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Wearing a gray designer t-shirt and a pair of dangling gold Jesus pieces, Lee looked like a colonoscopy would’ve been less invasive. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing colonoscopy

• virtual colonoscopy

Rhymes for colonoscopy

• laparoscopy
• arthroscopy
• 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