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

In scenes leading up to the baby's arrival, the parents-to-be, family and friends were shown at what appears to be a baby shower and at milestones along the way such as the 15-week ultrasound. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026

The term hypoechoic suggests a dark lesion seen on ultrasound when the tissue or organ being looked at should be lighter in appearance. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

Historic specialist Wacoal introduced the Flawless line, with new technologies like ultrasound bonding, which removes the need for glue or seams, and its thinnest shapewear fabrics, offered in a range of forms. —Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026

The device, which first hit the market in 2018, works by replacing the large analog crystals in conventional ultrasounds with 9,000 digital sensors on a microchip that can both generate and detect ultrasound waves. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 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