ultrasound

noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd 

plural ultrasounds

1

: vibrations of the same physical nature as sound but with frequencies above the range of human hearing

2

: the diagnostic or therapeutic use of ultrasound and especially a noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities

called also sonography, ultrasonography

3

: a diagnostic examination using ultrasound

The patient was scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound.

prenatal ultrasounds

Examples of ultrasound in a Sentence

They used ultrasound to examine his heart.

She had an ultrasound exam this morning.

She had an ultrasound this morning.

She showed me an ultrasound of her unborn baby.

Recent Examples on the Web

Patrick was dressed in light colors as were the children, who held their mom’s ultrasound photos. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2024

In the photos, the proud parents could be seen kissing in front of a pond on a sunny day, as Cox showed off her baby bump and held up three ultrasound photos while hugging her husband. —Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 11 July 2024

The Inspiration4 crew, which were selected, trained, and were in space within five months of being trained, were collecting ultrasounds and bloodwork, and doing microbiome testing. —Nicholas St. Fleur, STAT, 5 July 2024

An ultrasound sonogram scientifically shows that the fetus is a live human being, and it therefore can not be denied that terminating that baby in the womb is morally (and religiously) wrong and abhorrent. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ultrasound

noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd 

1

: ultrasonic vibrations

2

: the use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis or treatment and especially a technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for examining internal body structures and detecting abnormalities in the body

Medical Definition

ultrasound

1 of 2 noun

ul·​tra·​sound ˈəl-trə-ˌsau̇nd 

1

: vibrations of the same physical nature as sound but with frequencies above the range of human hearing compare infrasound

2

: the diagnostic or therapeutic use of ultrasound and especially a noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities

called also echography, sonography, ultrasonography

3

: a diagnostic examination using ultrasound

ultrasound

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, performed by, using, or specializing in ultrasound

an ultrasound technician

ultrasound imaging