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

Example Sentences

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

In this non-surgical procedure, healthcare providers use a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to locate your uterine fibroids and then zap them with high-frequency ultrasound. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 24 Jan. 2023

Expectant parents tend to get serious about finalizing and sharing their list in the second trimester, after the 20-week ultrasound visit. —Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 23 Jan. 2023

On those scores, early ultrasound failed miserably. —Clifford Marks, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2023

In order to definitively find a blood clot, your doctor may recommend imaging, such as a Doppler ultrasound of the leg. —L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2023

Heart tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram or ultrasound of heart, can reveal some, but not all, defects. —Jeremy Redmon, ajc, 3 Jan. 2023

The Butterfly ultrasound system received US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for human use in October 2017. —Jennifer Kite-powell, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022

An ultrasound a month later, when the baby was larger and the heart could be seen more clearly, confirmed the severity of the diagnosis. —Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, 23 Dec. 2022

What is special about ultrasound compared to other imaging technology? —Jayne Williamson-lee, STAT, 17 Dec. 2022

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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