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

After the ultrasound, Koskenoja stepped out into the hall to give A time to call her partner. —Kate Wells, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026

Beyond ultrasound, researchers have also explored combining other imaging techniques with DOT, including X-ray mammography, 3D mammography and MRI. —Quing Zhu, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026

When medications didn't work, Krause turned to focused ultrasound treatments at Penn Medicine. —Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026

Soon, an ultrasound and blood test results led to Crew being diagnosed with stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer affecting one to two children per million in the United States. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ultrasound

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background

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