stethoscope

noun

stetho·​scope ˈste-thə-ˌskōp How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
also
-t͟hə- How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
: a medical instrument for detecting sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a piece placed upon the area to be examined
stethoscopic
ˌste-thə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
 also  -t͟hə-
adjective

Examples of stethoscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An important early step is listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 Based on the title character from the Netflix show Vida the Vet, this kit contains five sensory toys for treating patients, including a stethoscope with sound effects and reflex hammer. Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 When Season 21 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 26 (at 10/9c), Meredith is going to be up to her stethoscope in trouble. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 14 Sep. 2024 Now, the stethoscope could detect a fetal heartbeat. Alice Neikirk, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stethoscope 

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

Word History

Etymology

French stéthoscope, from Greek stēthos chest + French -scope

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stethoscope was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near stethoscope

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

stethoscope

noun
stetho·​scope ˈsteth-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce stethoscope (audio)
 also  ˈstet͟h-
: a medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced in the body and especially those of the heart and lungs

Medical Definition

stethoscope

noun
stetho·​scope
ˈsteth-ə-ˌskōp also ˈstet͟h-
: an instrument used to detect and study sounds produced in the body that are conveyed to the ears of the listener through rubber tubing connected with a usually cup-shaped piece placed upon the area to be examined
stethoscopic
ˌsteth-ə-ˈskäp-ik also ˌstet͟h-
adjective
stethoscopically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on stethoscope

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