1 ultrasound | Definition of ultrasound

ultrasound

noun
ul·​tra·​sound | \ ˈəl-trÉ™-ËŒsau̇nd How to pronounce ultrasound (audio) \

Definition of ultrasound

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

3 : a diagnostic examination using ultrasound

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

In my adolescence, my OBGYN sent me in for an ultrasound to address some then-mystery pain. Caroline Reilly, Teen Vogue, "Virginity Doesn't Mean You Can't Have a Transvaginal Ultrasound," 4 Sep. 2019 Bri’Anna said an ultrasound showed Halle starting to go into heart failure. Matt Kawahara, SFChronicle.com, "Fatherhood drives Raiders rookie safety Johnathan Abram," 16 June 2019 This harmless heating creates a tiny acoustic wave that gets picked up by the ultrasound detector. Jocelyn Kaiser, Science | AAAS, "Laser detects tumor cells in bloodstream, potentially improving melanoma screening and treatment," 12 June 2019 Get the acupuncture treatment with its non-invasive ultrasound needles. Irena Medavoy, Town & Country, "How to Detox Like a Hollywood Power Player," 5 Nov. 2018 The shocking news about the number of babies didn't come until an ultrasound in January. Emma Baty, Redbook, "Couple Spends 17 Years Trying to Have One Baby, Gets Six Babies Instead," 26 May 2017 After all, many of them were online before they were even born, with their ultrasound pictures shared on social media by proud parents-to-be. Marcie Merriman, Quartz at Work, "Will tech addiction mean the rise or demise of the Gen Z workforce?," 22 Aug. 2019 Zookeepers have been performing regular ultrasounds on Mei Xiang, who is on the older side for giving birth, and are watching her closely. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, "Giant panda Bei Bei turns 4 this week, but his days in Washington are numbered," 21 Aug. 2019 Other tests may include x-rays, blood tests, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound - the test of choice to diagnose DCM. Iris Katz, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Pet Wise: Exploring links between grain-free diets and cardiomyopathy in dogs," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ultrasound.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ultrasound

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for ultrasound

ultrasound

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ultrasound

: a type of sound that is too high for humans to hear
medical : a method of producing images of the inside of the body by using a machine that produces sound waves which are too high to be heard
: an image that is made using ultrasound

ultrasound

noun
ul·​tra·​sound | \ ˈəl-trÉ™-ËŒsau̇nd How to pronounce ultrasound (audio) \

Medical Definition of ultrasound

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective

Medical Definition of ultrasound (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on ultrasound

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ultrasound

Spanish Central: Translation of ultrasound

Nglish: Translation of ultrasound for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ultrasound for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ultrasound