thermography

noun

ther·​mog·​ra·​phy (ˌ)thər-ˈmä-grə-fē How to pronounce thermography (audio)
1
: a process of writing or printing involving the use of heat
especially : a raised-printing process in which matter printed by letterpress is dusted with powder and heated to make the lettering rise
2
: a technique for detecting and measuring variations in the heat emitted by various regions of the body and transforming them into visible signals that can be recorded photographically (as for diagnosing abnormal or diseased underlying conditions)
also : a similar technique used elsewhere (as on buildings)
thermographer noun
thermographic adjective
thermographically adverb

Examples of thermography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Advanced imaging and infrared thermography also came into play for measuring the tongue’s temperature. Paul Smith-Goodson, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024 Currently, there are several bridge inspection techniques for assessing and monitoring the condition of bridge structures, including visual inspection, ultrasonic testing, infrared thermography, aerial inspection, and radar. IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2024 No evidence thermography is a safe alternative The article linked below the Facebook post claims thermography, a test that uses a camera to detect the temperature of the skin on the breast's surface, is a safer alternative to mammograms. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 20 July 2023 However, in recent decades, non-invasive technologies like cosmic-ray detectors and infrared thermography have been helping researchers to peer into pyramids without causing damage. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2023 The 30-foot corridor was discovered by the ScanPyramids project, which since 2015 has been using infrared thermography, 3D simulations, and cosmic-ray muon imaging to explore the pyramid without damaging it. Nick Roll, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2023 The discovery within the pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing, was made under the Scan Pyramids project that since 2015 has been using non-invasive technology including infrared thermography, 3D simulations and cosmic-ray imaging to peer inside the structure. Reuters, CNN, 2 Mar. 2023 Thermal imaging cameras, which use thermography, are a fast, contactless, and reliable method to detect a fever, a common symptom of COVID-19. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2020 The Scan Pyramids project, launched in 2015, uses infrared thermography, 3D simulations, and cosmic-ray imagine to get a different — and safer — look at the 4,500-year-old structure, Reuters reports. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 9 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thermography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermography was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near thermography

Cite this Entry

“Thermography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermography. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

thermography

noun
ther·​mog·​ra·​phy (ˌ)thər-ˈmäg-rə-fē How to pronounce thermography (audio)
plural thermographies
: a technique for detecting and measuring variations in the heat emitted by various regions of the body and transforming them into visible signals that can be recorded photographically (as for diagnosing abnormal or diseased underlying conditions)
thermographic adjective
thermographically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on thermography

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