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

While the standard age for starting colorectal cancer screening is 45, having a family history puts you at higher-than-usual risk, which may warrant sooner or more frequent screening (either via a stool test or colonoscopy). —Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025

Until more research is done to better understand the findings, Saltzman continues to recommend conversations between healthcare provider and patient — and routine colonoscopies as indicated by the patient’s age and health status. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Every four years, everyone filled out a questionnaire about their diets, and everyone had at least one colonoscopy before 50. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025

There’s a really cool medical device, for example, that’s helping our doctors identify potentially concerning polyps in colonoscopies. —Adam Stone, USA Today, 11 Nov. 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