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
Where appropriate, clinicians may also consider alternative imaging methods that do not involve ionizing radiation, such as MRI or ultrasound – especially for younger patients or when repeat imaging is anticipated.
—
New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
But there are instances when patients may be able to skip the test or opt for a method that doesn’t expose them to radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Hospitals where patients were more likely to receive imaging—including CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-rays—had significantly lower in-hospital mortality, even after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Kidney stones also sometimes can be diagnosed with ultrasound, which does not emit radiation, the website notes.
—Ronnie Cohen, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ultrasound
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New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
But there are instances when patients may be able to skip the test or opt for a method that doesn’t expose them to radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Hospitals where patients were more likely to receive imaging—including CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-rays—had significantly lower in-hospital mortality, even after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Kidney stones also sometimes can be diagnosed with ultrasound, which does not emit radiation, the website notes.
—Ronnie Cohen, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ultrasound
Cite this Entry
“Ultrasound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultrasound. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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