tomography

noun

to·​mog·​ra·​phy tō-ˈmä-grə-fē How to pronounce tomography (audio)
: a method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object (such as the human body or the earth) by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy impinging on those structures compare computed tomography
tomographic adjective

Examples of tomography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the days that followed, John also underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan. Colleen Murphy, Health, 17 Oct. 2025 Scientists are advancing the use of muon scattering tomography to analyze nuclear fuel debris from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 To improve the energy density of ec3, the team applied a high-resolution 3D imaging method called FIB-SEM tomography to first understand the workings of the nanocarbon black network inside the material. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025 Such a sweeping change could be possible in the future thanks to computed tomography (CT) scanners that create 3-dimensional images of passengers’ carry-on bags and can detect explosives, including liquids. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tomography

Word History

Etymology

Greek tomos section + International Scientific Vocabulary -graphy — more at tome

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tomography was in 1935

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Cite this Entry

“Tomography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tomography. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

tomography

noun
to·​mog·​ra·​phy tō-ˈmäg-rə-fē How to pronounce tomography (audio)
plural tomographies
: a method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object (as the human body) by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy impinging on those structures

called also stratigraphy

see computed tomography, positron-emission tomography
tomographic adjective

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